Objectives: Early studies on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy showed varied intensity across countries, which was linked to various factors such as socio-economic conditions, information sources, and issues of trust in government, scientific experts, and the health sector. This study aims to evaluate the determinants of vaccine hesitancy to offer insights into the strategies that may be successful in designing communications campaigns for enhanced vaccination uptake. Methods: Through logistic regression, this study examines correlates of survey data from five Southeast Asian countries, namely Indonesia (ID), Malaysia (MY), Philippines (PH), Thailand (TH), Vietnam (VN) collected by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Initiative on Digital Economy and Facebook between July 2020 and March 2021. Results: Some significant determinants at the 5% or 1% level of significance of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the countries of interest include gender [ID: 1.17 (1.01, 1.15), MY: 1.35 (1.2,1.53), PH: 1.92 (1.68,2.19), VN: 1.28 (1.04,1.58)], age [MY:1.11 (1.06,1.17), PH: 0.92 (0.88, 0.97), TH: 1.17 (1.11, 1.23)], knowing someone who tested positive for COVID-19 [ID: 0.75 (0.65,0.88), MY: 0.82 (0.71,0.95), PH: 0.76 (0.67, 0.87), TH: 0.76 (0.59, 0.99), VN: 0.72 (0.54,0.97)], and perceived effectiveness of mask wearing [ID: 0.83 (0.74, 0.94), MY: 0.86 (0.79, 0.95), TH: 0.88 (0.8,0.98)]. Vaccine hesitancy is particularly strong among women in 3 countries—peaking at 52% in Indonesia, 42% in Malaysia, and 56% in the Philippines. Conclusion Results from the survey highlight the significance of a targeted vaccine education and research campaign. This study calls for streamlining of communications campaigns towards messages that promote vaccine uptake in the region, while better targeting those groups most vulnerable guided by the empirical findings herein.
Asia

Background: COVID-19 caused educational institutions to transition online, necessitating tailored interventions in spreading factual information. Formal learning in the Philippines has yet to resume physically. Objectives: This methodological and formative research sought to develop a contextualized, home-based, and age-appropriate COVID-19 prevention curriculum for Filipinos within ages 5-8, 9-12, and 13-16. This articledescribes the process of co-developing the curriculum and identifying key themes in curriculum development which may be relevant to low-middle income countries (LMIC). Methodology: Preliminary curriculum materials were developed based on COVID-19 prevention literature and existing health promotion materials. A focus group discussion (FGD) with eight subject experts was conducted to explore the barriers and facilitators to knowledge and behavioral change. Results were analyzed thematically using predetermined themes: content, structure, delivery, and appropriateness to context. Results: The co-development provided insights through academic, professional, and cultural lenses. Subthemes were generated from content, delivery, structure, and appropriateness to context recommending the use of activities that are engaging and empowering to the child and providing support for carers. Curriculum key outcomes of this research include a clearer, comprehensive, accurate, and contextualized curriculum in relation to the target age groups. Conclusion Curriculum co-development may be improved by involving key persons in the community. To promote behavioral change and hygienic practices among Filipino children, active, constructive, and interactive learning methods, as well as a motivational approach, must be employed. Major findings for curriculum effectiveness highlighted the importance of the following: prevention-focused materials, accurate and updated information, summary provisions at the curriculum's end, availability of activity materials, household involvement, and open-ended activities. Future research may work on contextualizing other health literacy curricula to the local context and tailoring interventions at the community level.
COVID-19 ; Curriculum ; Hygiene ; Child