Factors Associated with Intention to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine Among HIV Positive Patients Attending ART Clinic in Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction:By the end of 2021, Ethiopia plans to vaccinate 20% of the population. The prioritized group includes people older than 65 years, health care workers, teachers, soldiers, and people living with comorbid diseases, including HIV/AIDS. However, due to a lack of intention and other reasons, only less than one percent of the population has taken COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the determinant factors of intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among HIV-positive patients attending ART clinics in southern Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 398 HIV-positive patients from March 1 to April 28, 2021. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire by three midwives. We entered the data into Epi InfoTM 3.5.1. Binary logistic regression was used to identify independently associated variables in bivariate and multivariate analyses using SPSS version 20. Results: Currently, the intention to take COVID-19 vaccine among HIV-positive patients was 33.7%. The probability of PLWHA to take COVID-19 vaccine was two (AOR = 2 (1.08-3.44)) times higher among those who have been diagnosed with chronic diseases (exclude HIV) with those with not been diagnosed. PLWHA who were male in sex were five (AOR = 5 (2.96-8.68)) times more likely to take COVID-19 vaccine than female. The study also indicated that the odds of intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine were 4.1 times (AOR = 4.1 (2.33-7.31)) times higher among those participants who had good knowledge of COVID-19 practice compared with those who had poor knowledge. Conclusion:The overall intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among PLWHA is low. Therefore, there is a need to improve the intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among HIV-positive patients to achieve the 2021 goal of Ethiopia for 20% of the population vaccination. Patients with chronic illness, knowledge of the COVID-19 vaccine, and sex were factors associated with the intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine.

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.…”

“…Having good knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine and/or its preventive measures was positively associated with vaccine acceptance. 25 , 32 , 33 , 37 , 41–44 Higher educational level appeared to have a positive association with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. 30 , 33 , 37 , 41 , 42 Similarly, a positive attitude toward COVID-19 vaccine was significantly associated with increased vaccine acceptance rate.…”

“…Most of these studies found higher vaccine acceptance rate among males than females. 28–30 , 32 , 39 , 40 Opposite to this finding, a couple of studies found higher vaccine acceptance in females than in males. 25 , 33 Four studies revealed better vaccine acceptance among participants with history of chronic disease.…”

“…25 , 33 Four studies revealed better vaccine acceptance among participants with history of chronic disease. 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.…”