Aims: To ensure effectiveness of COVID 19 vaccine in controlling the pandemic, high vaccination coverage rates are necessary to achieve herd immunity which will help reduce the transmission of the virus and ensure reduction in the risk of transmission of infection. The study assessed COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its determinants among the adult population in Somali region of Ethiopia. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional analytical study Place and Duration of Study: Somali Region of Ethiopia in October 2021 Methodology: A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation vaccine hesitancy survey question, administered to 433 adult population in eight selected sites. Bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were used to test association between vaccine uptake and some selected determinants. The level of significance was set at a p-value<5%. Results: Only 29% of the respondents had received at least one dose of COVID 19 vaccine, 219(50.6%) reported no concern at all in getting infected and the perception of low risk of infection was significantly higher among those not vaccinated (χ2 =12.62, p<0.05). Only 101(23.3%) of the respondents reported that the vaccine was very important in the prevention of the disease and perceived no benefit was significantly higher among those not vaccinated (χ2 =32.30, p<0.05). Only 79(18.2%) of the respondents believed the vaccine was very safe and perceived lack of safety of the vaccine was significantly higher among those not vaccinated (χ2 =22.24, p<0.05). There was positive association between level of education and vaccine uptake (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.02–2.52; p<0.05 ) while 126(47.5%) of those who had desired to be vaccinated actually got vaccinated. Other factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination uptake were friends getting vaccinated and support by community and religious leaders. Conclusion: The perceived low risk among the population to COVID19 infection which significantly affected the poor vaccine uptake is a major concern. With only half of the population who intended to be vaccinated and ended up being vaccinated shows the need for targeted socio behavioural change communication strategies with focus on benefit of the vaccine not only to individual but to the other members of their community.
Aims: Healthcare workers are known to be at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and have a role in transmitting the infection to others in the work environment and communities. Public health measures and vaccination are the major strategies being implemented to prevent and control the infection. The study assessed COVID -19 vaccine uptake and its determinants among health care workers in Somali region of Ethiopia. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: Somali Region in October 2021. Methodology: A structured self-administered questionnaire adapted from the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization vaccine hesitancy survey question was used and administered to 427 healthcare workers in eight selected sites. Bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were used to assess association between vaccine uptake and some selected determinants. The level of significance was set at a p-value<5%. Results: About 71% of the health workers have been vaccinated at least once and vaccination was significantly higher among those with perceived risk of being infected (χ2 =12.19, p<0.05), perceived benefit of the vaccine (χ2 = 47.30, p<0.05) and perceived protection of the vaccine for their communities (χ2 =22.13, p<0.05). About 45% of the respondents believed the vaccine was very safe and vaccination was significantly higher among those who believed the safety of the vaccine (χ2 = 23.06, p<0.05). Vaccine uptake was higher among medical doctors than other health professionals, (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.09–5.48), p<0.05. The study showed significant relationship between inclination towards vaccination and actual vaccination where about 78% of those who had desired to be vaccinated actually got vaccinated. Other factors associated with vaccination uptake were colleagues getting vaccinated and support by community and religious leaders to vaccination. Conclusion: The study identified key determinants to vaccine uptake among the health workers which included perceived risk of being infected, perceived benefit, safety of the vaccines and perceived protection of the vaccine for their communities. These require targeted Social and behavioural change communication strategies to address.
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