Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine acceptance and perceived barriers among university students in northeast Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Universities are places where students live and study in close contact to each other. Nowadays, the foundations of this particular group have been affected significantly by the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease 2019. The severity of the COVID-19 pandemic has demanded the emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines. However, there is still limited evidence in COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and perceived barriers among some subgroups, including university students. This study aimed to assess vaccine acceptance, associated factors, and perceived barriers among university students, Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2021 at Debre Berhan University among 423 students. The participants were selected using simple random sampling technique. A semi-structured, pretested, and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Multivariable logistic-regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with vaccine acceptance. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and its p-value of ≤0.05 was used to declare significant association. Results The proportion of the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was 69.3% (95% CI: 65, 74). Being knowledgeable (AOR: 2.43, CI: 1.57, 3.77), being a health science student (AOR: 2.25, CI: 1.43, 3.54), and being in a family practicing COVID-19 prevention (AOR: 1.73, CI: 1.06, 2.81) were found to be factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Conclusion Though, this study found a 69.3% acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine, there were noticeable perceived barriers and related factors in vaccine acceptance hesitancy. Thus, health education and communication regarding the vaccine are very crucial to alleviate the identified barriers.

Predictors for Actual COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Intended Booster Dosage among Medical Students of an Osteopathic Medical School in New York

“…Gender did not significantly predict the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance level in a cross-sectional study that explored the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among medical students in Slovakia [48]. Other studies found a similar finding among university students in Czechia [49], Saudi Arabia [37], and in the northeast of Ethiopia [50]. No conclusive finding associates gender differences with a high probability of getting a flu vaccine in either the U.S. or Europe.…”

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and its associated factors in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…All of the articles included in this meta-analysis were cross-sectional designs. Of fourteen studies included, 5 were from SNNPR region, 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 5 were from Amhara region, 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 3 were nationwide studies 40 , 41 , 42 and 1 was from Addis Ababa city administration. 43 All articles were published in 2021.…”

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine and Its Associated Factors Among Ethiopian Population: A Systematic Review

“…In this systematic review the vaccine acceptance rate was higher among older age groups, 28 , 31 , 35 , 37–41 males, 28–30 , 32 , 37 , 39 those who had attended secondary and above education, 4 , 9 , 11 , 15 , 16 who are knowledgeable about COVID-19 vaccine, 25 , 32 , 33 , 37 , 41 , 43 , 44 and perceive that COVID-19 causes a severe illness/death. 25 , 26 , 29 The association between age and vaccine acceptance may be related with the fact that the impact of COVID-19 infection is more severe with increasing age, and older unvaccinated people are more likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19.…”

“… 32 , 34 , 37 , 46 High perceived risk of getting coronavirus infection, 29 , 45 , 47 perceived severity of the disease, 25 and perceived benefit of COVID-19 vaccine 29 , 47 were positively associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Having good practice of COVID-19 preventive measures, 34 , 38 , 42 , 44 access to the media, 30 previous interaction with someone infected by COVID-19, 26 , 30 , 46 urban residence, 33 , 42 having children, 26 being a physician or health professional, 31 , 34 , 44 and being single 28 , 33 also had a positive association with the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine.…”

“…Participants who had a family member or friend diagnosed with COVID-19, 26 , 30 worked in a coronavirus treatment unit, 28 tested for COVID-19, 28 , 30 resided in urban areas, 33 , 42 had a chronic disease, 32 , 34 , 37 had access to the media, received any vaccine during childhood, 30 had a positive attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine, 34 , 43 and perceiving their family as healthier than their counterparts, have children, 26 previous interaction with someone infected by COVID-19, 26 received immunization counseling during EPI, 42 had good practice of COVID-19 preventive measures, 34 , 41 do not have a health-related job, orthodox in religion, 33 those with >10 years of work experience and those who had been working at the emergency department, 35 who believe COVID-19 exists in the study area, who think that prevalence and death rate reports by the government are real, 27 had perceived susceptibility and perceived benefit, 29 , 47 who had health insurance, those who knew anyone diagnosed with COVID-19, 43 being a private school teacher, 29 being a health science student and being member of a family practicing COVID-19 prevention 44 were more likely to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. On the other hand some studies found higher vaccine acceptance among younger age group (18–30 years), females, 25 , 33 and those who experienced either previous or current COVID-19 infection.…”