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Social Network Analysis

Living the story we wanted to tell: Using mixed methods developmental evaluation to build and weave a network to reduce COVID-19 vaccination disparities

Thursday, October 12, 2023
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET
Location: Room 208

Location: Room 208

Abstract Information: In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded all 26 Prevention Research Centers to form the Vaccine Confidence Network (VCN) to increase equity in COVID-19 vaccination confidence and uptake. Our developmental evaluation prioritized using data for programmatic decision-making and innovation to enhance peer-to-peer learning in an emergency setting. We collected data from network meeting polls on PRC collaboration intentions; mid-year and final social network surveys; and qualitative interviews to assess the who, the how, and the impact of cross-PRC collaboration. Final network results demonstrate the effectiveness of disseminating interim data based on similarities in populations and interventions to encourage cross-network collaboration. Quantitative and qualitative data, including network maps, show and tell the story of collaborative efforts to engage communities in planning and implementing programs to promote vaccination. By incorporating mixed methods evaluation data into building and weaving the VCN, we successfully lived the story we wanted to tell.

Relevance Statement: Established in 1986, the Prevention Research Centers (PRC) Network consists of 26 accredited schools of public health or medicine across the United States. PRCs work with communities to identify public health problems and develop, test, and evaluate solutions that can be applied widely, especially in communities experiencing health disparities. PRCs primarily work in chronic disease prevention and use various methods to engage communities and other partners to translate science into public health action. PRC partners include community advisory boards, community healthcare workers, state and local health departments, and faith and community-based organizations. Given the strong PRC evaluation expertise and existing community ties, CDC recognized the PRC Network’s unique position to build COVID-19 vaccine confidence and uptake through community engaged approaches and, in May 2021, awarded funds to create the PRC Vaccine Confidence Network (VCN). Each PRC received funding to implement and build upon CDC’s Vaccinate with Confidence strategy in their communities. CDC developed the Vaccinate with Confidence framework and many accompanying resources to help build confidence in the vaccines, the vaccinator, and the systems that develop, recommend, and administer them (CDC, 2020). For example, the COVID-19 Vaccination Field Guide (CDC, 2021) outlines select strategies to help increase vaccine confidence and uptake. Each strategy addresses common barriers to getting a COVID-19 vaccine, which can be structural, behavioral, or informational. Each PRC evaluated the effectiveness of social and behavioral interventions in diverse communities for incorporation into subsequent vaccine confidence and demand strategies. CDC funded the VCN partly on the premise that existing recipient relationships would add value beyond the sum of their individual efforts. We used a developmental evaluation (DE) approach to implement and evaluate the overall program efforts and document lessons learned and promising practices. DE supports program development and guides adaptation to emergent and dynamic situations in complex environments (Patton, 2011). The DE data gathered during formative stages inform longer-term development of the program, and evaluators are key members of the program design team. Both DE and community-engaged research enhance program design by involving critical stakeholders in planning and implementation processes (Tremblay, 2020). The DE approach may also inform future program design efforts, including CDC’s support of the core PRC Network.

References: CDC, 2020. Vaccinate with Confidence. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/partners/vaccinate-with-confidence.html CDC, 2021. COVID-19 Vaccination Field Guide: 12 Strategies for Your Community. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/downloads/vaccination-strategies.pdf Patton MQ. Developmental evaluation: Applying complexity concepts to enhance innovation and use. Guilford Press: New York, 2011. Tremblay M, Gokiert R, Kingsley B, Mottershead K, Pei J. Using developmental evaluation and community-based participatory research to develop a model of supportive housing. Eval Program Plann. 2020 Oct;82:101849. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2020.101849. Epub 2020 Jul 8. PMID: 32679353.