Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Morocco: Applying the Health Belief Model

Abstract

To identify factors that influenced Moroccans’ intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine, a cross-sectional survey among a Moroccan sample was conducted based on Health Belief Model constructs. Participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, cues to action, and intention to receive vaccine data were collected and analyzed using a structural equation model (SEM). The survey was completed by 3800 individuals; 57.2% were men, 44.5% were aged 30 to 44, and 44.6% were married. After controlling for confounders, being a woman and having a chronic disease were associated with higher acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. The strongest predictor for the intention of receiving a vaccine was participants who were married. Most of the HBM constructs were shown to be significantly associated with vaccine acceptance. Susceptibility and Benefits were the strongest predictors of acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine (standardized path coefficient, SPC = 0.23), followed by Severity (SPC = 0.22). Conversely, given the negative correlation between barriers and intention (SPC = −0.08), it is necessary to maintain a high level of transparency regarding the vaccines’ safety. Our study provides guidance for an implementation of vaccination strategies, intending to bolster the overall COVID-19 immunization program.

COVID-19 vaccination uptake among healthcare workers in Ghana: A comprehensive analysis of knowledge, attitude, perceived vaccine effectiveness, and health belief model constructs

“…Similar conforming results were reported by other researchers in China [80] and Malawi [84]. Cues to action work as "triggers" that prompt individuals to change their behavior [85]. In the context of COVID-19 vaccination, governments, and experts' provision of accurate information about the vaccine acts as triggers to encourage active participation in vaccination initiatives [86].…”

“…In this study, several sociodemographic factors that have previously been associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptability were considered, such as age [88], Sex [89] profession type [63], marital status [90], and working in the frontline [42]. However, no significant associations between sociodemographic factors and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination were found.…”

Application of behavioral change theory and models on COVID-19 preventive behaviors, worldwide: A systematic review

“…In this review, COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was positively correlated with all HBM constructs (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived barrier, perceived benefit, cues to action, and self-efficacy), 23 , 28 – 32 and constructs were also correlated with behavioral intention to engage in COVID-19 preventive behavior. 24 , 33 – 37 …”

“…In this review, COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was positively correlated with all HBM constructs (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived barrier, perceived benefit, cues to action, and self-efficacy), 23,[28][29][30][31][32] and constructs were also correlated with behavioral intention to engage in COVID-19 preventive behavior. 24,[33][34][35][36][37] The application of TPB to COVID-19 preventive behaviors is based on 27 articles included in this systematic review, and the dimensions of TPB (attitude, social norm, and perceived behavioral control) were significantly associated with COVID-19 preventive behaviors. In the United States and China, respectively, seven and six studies based on TPB were published.…”

COVID-19 Response and Vaccination in Morocco: Efforts, Challenges, and Opportunities

“…The findings of this study were that perceived susceptibility and benefits were the strongest predictors of acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Being female and having a chronic illness were also factors associated with a higher COVID-19 acceptance rate [26]. Throughout the pandemic response, the MoH deployed mass media campaigns to educate the public and promote vaccine uptake.…”