A Survey of the Role of Digital Health Education on Vaccine Literacy and Uptake Among Rural Caregivers in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Routine immunization remains a vital public health defense against preventable childhood illnesses, yet Northern Nigeria continues to experience significant challenges with low vaccine uptake and a high prevalence of zero-dose children. This study surveys the role of digital health education delivered through mobile messaging, community audio platforms, and localized social media in improving vaccine literacy and uptake among rural caregivers. Grounded conceptually in the Health Belief Model and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this descriptive survey examines structural communication barriers, digital health accessibility, and behavioral changes among caregivers across rural communities. The findings demonstrate that while traditional channels frequently encounter socio-cultural and linguistic friction, tailored digital health education significantly improves caregivers' perceived susceptibility and vaccine benefits. However, systemic structural constraints, such as poor digital literacy, erratic network infrastructure, and power deficits, remain critical implementation bottlenecks. The study recommends implementing a decentralized, community-integrated digital health strategy that utilizes local languages, leverages trusted community gatekeepers, and expands low-bandwidth audio-visual delivery platforms to build long-term vaccine confidence.