Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Uganda: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of General Medicine
Abstract
Vaccination toward coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been recommended and adopted as one of the measures of
reducing the spread of this novel disease worldwide. Despite this, vaccine uptake among the Ugandan population has been low with
reasons surrounding this being unknown. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in
Uganda.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 1042 adults in the districts of Mukono, Kiboga, Kumi, Soroti, Gulu,
Amuru, Mbarara and Sheema from June to November 2021. Data were analyzed using STATA v.15. Barriers to vaccination were
analyzed descriptively, while a binary logistic regression model was used to establish the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine
hesitancy.
Results: Overall, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was 58.6% (611). Respondents from urban areas and those in the eastern or northern
region had increased odds of vaccine hesitancy. Further, higher education level and having knowledge on how COVID-19 is
transmitted significantly reduced the odds of vaccine hesitancy. The study also noted individual perception such as COVID-19 kills
only people with underlying medical conditions, as well as limited awareness on vaccine types or vaccination areas as the main
reasons to vaccine hesitancy. Relatedly, other misconceptions like the ability of the vaccine to cause infertility, or spreading the virus
into the body, and acknowledgment of alcohol as a possible cure were other reasons for vaccine hesitancy.
Conclusion: The proportion of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is still high among the population with this varying across regions. This
is driven by low education level and limited awareness on the vaccination as well as perceived myths and misconceptions. The study
recommends mass sensitization of the population on the benefits of vaccination using various channels as well as rolling out
community-based outreach vaccination campaigns across the country.
Description
Keywords
COVID-19,, Vaccination, Hesitancy, Barriers, Pandemics, Uganda
Citation
Kabagenyi, A., Wasswa, R., Nannyonga, B. K., Nyachwo, E. B., Kagirita, A., Nabirye, J., ... & Waiswa, P. (2022). Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Uganda: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey. International Journal of General Medicine, 15, 6837-6847. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S372386