Willingness of Ethiopian Population to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

Abstract

Background Despite efforts to decrease the burden, vaccine reluctance is increasing worldwide and hindering efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, understanding the willingness of a community to receive a COVID-19 vaccine will help to develop and implement effective means of promoting COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Objectives This study was aimed to assess the willingness of the Ethiopian population to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and its determinant factors. Methods E-survey was conducted from February 2021 to March 2021. After developing the questionnaire, the template was created on Google Forms and disseminated in public on different social media channels (e.g., Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook, email, etc.) by using a shareable link. Descriptive statistics were performed. Finally, multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to assess their relationship with socio-demographic factors. Results In total, 31.4% (n = 372) of respondents were willing to get a vaccine. One-third of respondents, 32.2% (n = 381), reported that COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Almost all 94.9% (n = 1124) responded that health workers should be vaccinated first. Only 21.7% (n = 257) willing to buy the vaccine if it is not provided free. Being female [OR (95% CI):1.85 (1.05–3.25)], aged less than 25 years old [OR (95% CI): 5.09 (3.41–7.59)], aged between 26–30 years [OR (95% CI): 3.57 (2.55–5.00)], being unmarried[OR (95% CI):1.12 (0.81–1.55)], urban in residence [OR (95% CI): 1.06 (0.69–1.62)], private sector worker in occupation [OR (95% CI):0.45 (0.26 –0.77)], university/college student [OR (95% CI): 0.88 (0.59–1.32)], not having a health-related job [OR (95% CI): 4.08 (2.57–6.48)], orthodox [OR (95% CI): 1.16 (0.61–2.19)], Muslim [OR (95% CI): 0.285 (0.13 –0.61)], educational status of university/above [OR (95% CI): 4.87 (3.15–7.53)] have a statistically significant association and were more likely willing to take COVID-19 than their counterparts. Conclusion This study found that only 31.4% were willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Being female, older age, marital status, residence, occupations, not having a health-related job, religion, educational status were statistically significantly associated with willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine and Determinant Factors Among Patients with Chronic Disease Visiting Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northeastern Ethiopia

“… 46 This finding was consistent with the finding in South Africa, 47 Ethiopia (62.6%), 13 in the Arab world (62.4%). 20 The finding of the study was higher than the findings in Pakistan (37.80%), 42 Ethiopia (46.1%), 48 Ethiopia (31.4%), 49 16 countries across the continent (52.0%), 50 Nigeria (50.2%), 51 USA (36%), 52 Ethiopia (45.5%), 23 Turkey (29.2%). 53 On the contrary, it was lower than the finding in Canada (80.9%), 54 Mexico and India (80%), 50 China (91.3%), 36 Italy (67%), 55 low and middle-income countries (76.4%), 56 Colombia (77.0%), 57 India (78.6%), 28 India (79%), 44 Bangladesh (74.5%).…”

“…This finding was higher than the study in Ethiopia (17.1%). 49 The possible reason for this variation may be due to the change in study period, variation in the target population.…”

Attitudes, acceptance and hesitancy among the general population worldwide to receive the COVID-19 vaccines and their contributing factors: A systematic review

“…Interestingly, two studies conducted during the same period of time (during the initiation of the immunization process in Uganda) showed considerably different rates of people's intention to receive the vaccine, with sufficiently lower rates observed in the population of medical students [100] 37.3%, compared with 70.1% observed among the general population. Studies conducted in Ethiopia during February [101] and February/March [102] report twice as large of a difference in vaccine acceptance rates among the general population(31.4% vs. 62.6%, respectively), while data obtained from specific parts of this country (North, Central, and South) are mainly in agreement (the acceptance rates are 45%on average).…”

“…Themes identified to contribute to high hesitancy were most prominently associated with certain socio-demographic variables. Such variables included income (e.g., being low-income population), age (e.g., younger patients were more hesitant, partially as they perceived being at lower risk compared to elders [ 69 , 74 , 79 , 80 , 96 , 149 ]), education (e.g., having a lower education degree [ 69 , 71 , 96 , 97 , 101 , 102 , 146 , 148 , 150 , 152 ]), area of residence (e.g., those in rural areas were more hesitant [ 69 , 101 , 149 ]), reported race and/or ethnicity (e.g., those who identified as minorities [ 38 , [69] , [70] , [71] , 75 , 77 , 78 , 103 , 149 , 151 ]). Interestingly, studies that included specific populations (such as patients with different health conditions) generally observed a lower intention to vaccinate among them compared with the general population.…”

Health care workers intention to accept COVID-19 vaccine and associated factors in southwestern Ethiopia, 2021

“…Despite this attempt, vaccine hesitancy and unwillingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine is a challenge across the world [14].The unwillingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine in Ethiopia is expected to be high. For instance, a study found that only 31.4% of the population were willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine [15]. Readiness to receive COVID-19 vaccine among professionals is also challenging; for example, only 27.7% of health care workers were intended to take COVID-19 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.…”