|
The DOMI Program includes a significant social science component
as described in the accompanying box.
DOMI Program policy, economic and
behavioral research
The goal of IVI’s work in policy, economic and behavioral
research is to develop a framework to assist evidence-based
decision-making regarding the role of vaccination in the control
of the DOMI diseases.
The specific aims are:
•
|
To obtain a clear understanding of community,
provider, and policymaker perceptions of the public health
importance of the DOMI diseases; |
•
|
To ascertain those aspects of behavior that would affect
the usefulness and best mode of introduction and delivery
of vaccines; |
•
|
To obtain a clear understanding of the perceptions of
the community, health care providers, health policy makers,
and others about the vaccines; |
•
|
To obtain a clear understanding of the factors that
influence key decision makers in evaluating whether or
not to introduce vaccines; and |
•
|
To ascertain the cost-effectiveness of the priority
vaccines in various settings in developing countries to
facilitate informed decision- making. |
IVI accomplishes these aims through several types of activities.
First, it conducts reviews of relevant existing literature regarding
the disease burden, perceptions about, and costs of the diseases
and vaccines. Second, IVI carries out prospective assessments
of perceptions about the diseases and their vaccines, as well
as economic evaluations of costs of the illnesses and the cost-effectiveness
of immunizing against them. Third, IVI interviews policy makers
regarding their perception of the severity of the diseases,
the need for vaccines, and the potential mechanisms for implementing
vaccine programs. Finally, IVI develops evidence-based decision-making
frameworks.
This work is tightly integrated with the Working Groups of
the DOMI Program. The output of the Social Science Task Force
helps to shape the strategies of the Working Groups.
|
|
