Improving Immunization Services and Health Outcomes for Children and Families in the Saskatchewan Health Authority - North, East, South, West, and Core Health Networks: A Community-Based Participatory Research Project

Immunization is a publicly funded public health strategy that has saved more lives than any other health service. With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Saskatchewan Health Authority immunization services returned to pre-pandemic levels, it is essential to explore the reasons why immunization rates have dropped, how immunization rates can be improved, and ways to improve immunization services. Context specific information is essential to plan services, quality improvement of programs, and better meet the needs of families in Saskatoon and surrounding area. The SHA is committed to truth and reconciliation and that includes fostering culturally safe care for Indigenous families to reduce access barriers and improve health outcomes. With these goals, examining the experiences of Indigenous families is essential to provide culturally safe child health clinics within the SHA. This study proposes to collect data through a survey and then apply the survey results to inform focus groups, and interviews with families and frontline workers, i.e., public health nurses, community program builders, and office administrative assistants to answer the following research questions: (1) what are the factors that support immunization for families with children 0-6 years of age in the Health Networks in and around Saskatoon, SK?; (2) What are the factors contributing to low immunization rates?; (3) How can immunization health services be modified and improved? To work in a good way with the community partner, the SHA, a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach will be applied. A Research Advisory Committee has been formed with SHA leadership, engagement with the First Nations and Metis Health Services, and current recruitment of Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, and family partners. We are currently developing the study and data collection tools, plan to submit ethics in the next month and begin survey data collection once ethical approval is obtained.