Providing Evidence and “Voice” During the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Online Rapid Response Surveys: Lessons from the UJ/HSRC COVID-19 Democracy Survey

Runciman, Carin; Rule, Stephen; Bekker, Martin; Roberts, Benjamin; Orkin, Mark; Davids, Y.D.; Bohler‐Muller, Narnia; Alexander, Peter

doi:10.1080/21528586.2022.2032315

Cited by 7 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The younger demographic, students and non-MP HCWs disagreed to a lesser degree than their comparator groups. This is in keeping with findings from the HSRC, which showed increasing levels of vaccine hesitancy with decreasing age (Runciman et al 2021 ). Research in other countries has also revealed relatively high levels of vaccine hesitancy among certain HCW groups: in the USA, up to a quarter of medical students were hesitant about COVID-19 vaccinations (Lucia, Kelekar & Afonso 2021 ), and in France, older HCWs and MPs (compared with nurses) were more likely to readily accept vaccination (Gagneux-Brunon et al 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Perspectives of healthcare workers in South Africa on COVID-19 vaccination passports

Vuuren

2022

Health SA Gesondheid

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Background: Following the rollout of several effective vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many countries have introduced vaccination passports or certificates as a means of certifying that an individual has been vaccinated against, is immune to, or is presently uninfected with COVID-19. An extensive ethical debate has ensued.Aim: To determine the perspectives of South African healthcare workers (HCWs) on the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination passports (C19VPs) in South Africa (SA).Setting: Healthcare workers working in various fields and practice settings throughout SA were invited to complete an online questionnaire.Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed using convenience sampling via social media platforms to HCWs over a 1-month period, collecting demographic details and responses to 8 Likert-type items regarding agreement with C19VPs, ethical issues and feasibility. Each item was graded from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), with grouping of 4 of the 8 items exploring a common theme of C19VPs being a good idea, constituting a score out of 20. Non-parametric tests were performed to determine differences in responses between groups.Results: One thousand HCWs responded to the survey and fulfilled inclusion criteria. The majority (83.2%) of respondents were medical practitioners (MPs). Overall, most (73.5%) respondents agreed that C19VPs are a good idea. Older respondents agreed more strongly than younger respondents (medians 18 and 17, respectively, p = 0.001), and respondents in private practice agreed more strongly than those in state practice (medians 18 and 16, respectively, p = 0.042). The median response was neutral (3) in response to the ethics of C19VPs considering variations in vaccine access and tending towards disagreement (2.5) in disadvantaging poorer people. Most respondents disagreed that vaccine hesitancy would make C19VPs unethical, and responses from provinces with the highest vaccination proportions disagreed more than others with lower vaccination proportion (median 2 compared with 3, p 0.001). There was uncertainty about the feasibility of C19VPs in SA, with older HCWs, non-students, senior MPs and those who thought C19VPs are a good idea being more likely to consider them feasible.Conclusion: The perspectives of HCWs, mainly MPs, about C19VPs in SA were obtained. Further research should focus on vaccine hesitancy and its factors in HCWs and the effect of C19VPs on restrictions, reduction in transmission and benefits on economies and mental health.Contribution: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first survey data published on the perspectives of South African HCWs on C19VPs in the country. Healthcare workers are trusted influencers of vaccination decisions, and their opinion on vaccination certificates may also influence the South African public’s perception and acceptance thereof.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Perspectives of healthcare workers in South Africa on COVID-19 vaccination passports

Vuuren

2022

Health SA Gesondheid

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“…A total of 22 cross-sectional studies published up to June 14, 2021 were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The largest sample size was 10,618 from south Africa, southern Africa, 43 while the smallest sample size was 234 from Ghana, western Africa. 44 The largest and smallest acceptance rates of adults toward COVID-19 vaccine were 80.9% from Ethiopia, eastern Africa, 45 and 13.52% from Egypt, Northern Africa, 46 respectively.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Acceptance Rate Toward COVID-19 Vaccine in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Wake

2021

Global Pediatric Health

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Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic remains serious public issue. COVID-19 vaccine is a vital strategy to prevent this critical pandemic. However, unwillingness to take this vaccine are key barriers to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. The control of this pandemic will depend principally on the people acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was intended to determine the acceptance rate toward COVID-19 vaccine in Africa. Methods: African Journals OnLine, PubMed, Cochrane Review, HINARI, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus were used to retrieve related articles. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used for this study. Random-effect model, a funnel plot, Egger’s test, I2 statistic, subgroup analysis was done. The study was performed by using a STATA version 11 statistical software. Results: A total of 22 studies with 33,912 study participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. From this finding, the pooled prevalence of acceptance toward COVID-19 vaccine among adults in Africa was 48.93% (95% CI: [39.49, 58.37]). The subgroup analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among adults in Africa was highest (66.03%, 95% CI [62.84, 69.22]) in Southern Africa, and Lowest (24.28%, 95% CI [3.26, 45.30]) in Northern Africa. Conclusion: This study showed that the estimate of the pooled prevalence of acceptance toward COVID-19 vaccine among adults in Africa was very low. All concerned bodies should be actively involved to improve the acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccine.

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“…However, our study had a higher prevalence of vaccine hesitancy compared to previous reports ranging from 24% in September 2020 to 30% in February 2021 and (Burger et al 2022 ; Cooper et al 2021 ; Wiysonge et al 2021 ). Previous surveys in South Africa were conducted online among a selected population with access to smartphone technology resulting in significantly larger sample sizes (Engelbrecht et al 2022 ; Runciman et al 2021 ). Our survey stood out because of its grassroots approach, involving in-person interviews conducted during the day at locations such as transport hubs, taxi ranks, and shopping centres.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, respondents’ perceptions about COVID-19, prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and misconceptions surrounding COVID-19 vaccination. The questionnaire was designed by researchers after reviewing previously used survey questionnaires (Bohler-Muller et al 2021 ; Runciman et al 2021 ). The questionnaire was then adapted to answer the current research objectives.…”

Section: Research Methods and Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A survey of unvaccinated adults

Gengiah,

Naidoo,

Maduma

et al. 2024

Health SA Gesondheid

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Background: Concerns and misconceptions surrounding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines may account for vaccine hesitancy and low uptake.Aim: To determine prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, vaccine-related misconceptions, and predictors of vaccine hesitancy among South Africans.Setting: Community setting in five districts in KwaZulu- Natal province.Methods: Between August 20, 2021, and September 27, 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey, interviewing 300 unvaccinated adults amid the national vaccination campaign. Predictors of hesitancy were identified through multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results: Participants had a median age of 29 years (IQR: 23–39), 86.7% were Black African, 63.2% were male, 53.3% resided in rural communities, and 59.3% (95% CI: 53.8% – 64.9%) were classified as vaccine hesitant. The primary reason for not vaccinating was a lack of trust in the vaccine (62.1%). Factors associated with reduced vaccine hesitancy included age (participants aged 35–49 years: OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.18–0.64, p = 0.003; participants over 50 years: OR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.07–0.47, p = 0.0004), previous COVID-19 infection (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.11–0.87, p = 0.03), and receiving vaccine information from healthcare workers (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.10–1.0, p = 0.05). Unemployed (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.1–4.2, p = 0.03) and self-employed individuals (OR: 2.98, 95% CI: 1.27–7.02, p = 0.01) were more likely to be vaccine hesitant.Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy rates are high in KwaZulu-Natal. Uptake could be enhanced by healthcare workers leading information campaigns with messages targeting younger individuals, the unemployed, and the self-employed.Contribution: This survey provides evidence to improve COVID-19 vaccination uptake in South Africa.

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Providing Evidence and “Voice” During the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Online Rapid Response Surveys: Lessons from the UJ/HSRC COVID-19 Democracy Survey

Cited by 7 publications

References 17 publications

Perspectives of healthcare workers in South Africa on COVID-19 vaccination passports

Perspectives of healthcare workers in South Africa on COVID-19 vaccination passports

The Acceptance Rate Toward COVID-19 Vaccine in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A survey of unvaccinated adults

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