Trusted sources of information on COVID-19 vaccine in Uganda
| dc.contributor.author | Nyeko Oloya, Johnson | |
| dc.contributor.author | Onira Alema, Nelson | |
| dc.contributor.author | Okot, Christopher | |
| dc.contributor.author | Olal, Emmanue | |
| dc.contributor.author | Nzirakaindi Ikoona, Eric | |
| dc.contributor.author | Wathum Drinkwater Oyat, Freddy | |
| dc.contributor.author | Steven, Baguma | |
| dc.contributor.author | Omoya Ochula, Denish | |
| dc.contributor.author | Odong Olwedo, Patrick | |
| dc.contributor.author | Pebalo Pebolo, Francis | |
| dc.contributor.author | Okot Atim, Pamela | |
| dc.contributor.author | Smart Okot, Godfrey | |
| dc.contributor.author | Nantale, Ritah | |
| dc.contributor.author | Aloyo, Judith | |
| dc.contributor.author | Lagoro Kitara, David | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-05-28T07:30:27Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-05-28T07:30:27Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-05 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Background The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted communities worldwide, particularly in developing countries. To successfully control the pandemic, correct information and more than 80% vaccine coverage in a population were required. However, misinformation and disinformation could impact this, thus increasing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in communities. Several studies observed the effect of misinformation and disinformation on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and other responses to the pandemic in the African continent. Thus, the most trusted sources of information on COVID-19 vaccines are critical for the successful management and control of the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the most trusted sources of information on COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic in Uganda. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study on 587 adult population members in northern Uganda. Single-stage stratified and systematic sampling methods were used to select participants from northern Uganda. An interviewer-administered questionnaire with an internal validity of Cronbach’s α = 0.72 was used for data collection. An Institution Review Board (IRB) approved this study and Stata version 18 was used for data analysis. A Pearson Chi-square (χ2) analysis was conducted to assess associations between trusted sources of COVID-19 vaccine information and selected independent variables. Fisher’s exact test considered associations when the cell value following cross-tabulation was < 5. A P-value < 0.05 was used as evidence for an association between trusted sources of information and independent variables. All results were presented as frequencies, proportions, Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, and P-values at 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Results In a study of 587 participants, most were males, 335(57.1%), in the age group of 25–34 years, 180(31.4%), and the most trusted source of COVID-19 vaccine information were the traditional media sources for example, Televisions, Radios, and Newspapers, 349(33.6%). There was no significant association between sex and trusted sources of COVID-19 vaccine information. However, by age-group population, COVID-19 vaccine information was significantly associated with internet use (14.7% versus 85.3%; p = 0.02), information from family members (9.4% versus 90.6%; p < 0.01), and the Government/Ministry of Health (37.9% versus 62.1%; p < 0.01). Between healthcare workers and non-health workers, it was significantly associated with internet use (32.2% versus 67.8%; p = 0.03), healthcare providers (32.5% versus 67.5%; p < 0.018), the Government/Ministry of Health (31.1% versus 68.9%; p < 0.01), and scientific articles (44.7% versus 55.3%; p < 0.01). Conclusion The most trusted sources of COVID-19 vaccine information in northern Uganda were Televisions, Radios, and Newspapers. The trusted sources of COVID-19 vaccine information were not significantly different between males and females. However, there were significant differences among age groups and occupations of participants with younger age groups (≤ 44 years) and non-healthcare workers having more trust in Televisions, Radios, and Newspapers. Thus, for effective management of an epidemic, there is a need for accurate communication so that misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation in the era of “infodemic” do not disrupt the flow of correct information to communities. Peer Review reports | en_US |
| dc.identifier.citation | Nyeko Oloya, Johnson, Nelson Onira Alema, Christopher Okot, et al. 'Trusted Sources of Information on COVID-19 Vaccine in Uganda', BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, vol. 24/(2024), . | en_US |
| dc.identifier.issn | EISSN 1472-6947 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/9539 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | BioMed Central Ltd | en_US |
| dc.subject | COVID-19 vaccines, Pandemic, Trusted information, Sources, Northern Uganda | en_US |
| dc.title | Trusted sources of information on COVID-19 vaccine in Uganda | en_US |
| dc.type | Article | en_US |