Intention to Receive the Second Round of COVID-19 Vaccine Among Healthcare Workers in Eastern Ethiopia

Understanding the COVID-19 vaccine uptake, acceptance, and hesitancy in Ethiopia and Tanzania: a scoping review

Background

The development and implementation of COVID-19 vaccines have been a breakthrough in controlling the pandemic. However, the vaccination coverage in most low-income countries remains very low due to critical vaccine shortage and profound hesitancy. In this scoping review, we aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine uptake, acceptance, and hesitancy in Ethiopia and Tanzania.

Methods

The search was made in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. Only original research articles focusing on vaccine acceptance and hesitancy were included. The studies selected for a full read were analysed using a thematic analysis approach.

Findings

A total of 76 articles were included in the study, with 74 of them coming from Ethiopia. The study found an increasing trend in vaccine uptake over time. However, there was also an increase in hesitancy and a decline in willingness to receive the vaccine. The willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Ethiopia ranged from 18.5 to 88%. The main reasons for "vaccine hesitancy" included fear of side effects, concerns about long-term safety, doubts about vaccine effectiveness, lack of information, vaccine fast-tracking, and religious beliefs. The study also found that younger individuals, females, and pregnant women were less willing to receive the vaccine. The adverse events reported among vaccinated individuals were mostly mild. Most of the studies operationalised vaccine acceptance-hesitancy as dichotomous variables. However, the historical, political, and socio-cultural context in which vaccine acceptance and hesitancy occur was not given any attention. While there is a good amount of data from Ethiopia describing patterns of vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among different populations over time, there is limited information from Tanzania due to the late arrival of the vaccine and limited published articles.

Conclusion

We have observed a paradox involving two seemingly conflicting trends: an increase in vaccination rates/coverage and "anti-vax." Most studies have simplified vaccine acceptance-hesitancy as an "either-or" incident, without considering its dynamic nature and occurrence within a broader political, social, and cultural context. Therefore, it is crucial to explore approaches that can enhance our understanding of the vaccine acceptance-hesitancy phenomenon, in order to improve vaccine trust and uptake.

Coronavirus disease-19 vaccine uptake, willingness for vaccination, and associated Factors among chronic follow patients attending in the two comprehensive specialized hospitals of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Even though the disease has spread throughout the world, with millions killed, global COVID-19 vaccination coverage remains low, particularly in developing countries. However, epidemiological data is lacking in the area. Hence, this study aimed to assess COVID-19 uptake, willingness for vaccination, and associated factors.

METHOD

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1 to June 30, 2022, among patients attending chronic follow-up clinics in the two comprehensive specialized hospitals in Bahir Dar. The total sample size was 423. Participants were selected by a systematic random sampling technique. Data was gathered using a pre-tested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23. A descriptive analysis was performed. A binary logistic regression analysis was done to assess the association between variables. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 in the multi-variable logistic regression with a 95% confidence interval were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The analysis included 400 out of 423 participants, representing a 95% response rate. The COVID-19 vaccination uptake was 46.8%, while the acceptance was 60.5%. About 56% and 68% of the respondents had good knowledge and a favorable attitude, respectively. Elderly people were 2.7 times more likely to be vaccinated. Similarly, urban residents were 3.94 times more vaccinated. The probability of being vaccinated among respondents with good knowledge and favorable attitudes was 70% and 79%, respectively. The willingness for vaccination increased among those individuals with favorable attitudes (AOR: 1.82). Urban people were less likely to accept vaccination (AOR: 0.46). Some participants misunderstood that vaccination may aggravate their disease condition.

CONCLUSION

The overall COVID-19 vaccine uptake and acceptance for vaccination were low compared to what was estimated by the WHO. Age, residence, knowledge, and attitude were associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake and acceptance of vaccination. Besides, there was a high level of rumor about the status of the vaccine and risk factors. Hence, special emphasis is warranted to deliver centrally trusted information. Moreover, further nationwide studies are warranted in the future.

The Social Ecological Model: A Framework for Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Healthcare Workers-A Scoping Review

Vaccination plays a crucial role in combating the global COVID-19 pandemic. Immunizing all healthcare workers (HCWs) is essential for increasing vaccine confidence and acceptance within the general population. Understanding the factors that hinder or facilitate vaccine uptake among HCWs is of utmost importance, considering they are among the first to be vaccinated. This review follows Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage methodological framework. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest, WorldCat Discovery, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed articles published from 2020 to 2023. A descriptive analysis and narrative synthesis approach were employed to collect and synthesize data. Using the social-ecological model as a framework, the literature was categorized into themes at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy levels. We reviewed a total of fifty-three published academic articles, with the majority of studies conducted in Ethiopia and Nigeria. The intention for vaccine uptake resulted in an unsatisfactory (52%) overall uptake rate among HCWs. Individual-level determinants associated with vaccine uptake included being male, middle-aged, being a physician, having a higher level of education, and having a chronic illness. This review identified significant barriers at each level, such as safety concerns, perceived scientific uncertainty, vaccine ineffectiveness, lack of trust in stakeholders, and religious beliefs. Additionally, we identified facilitators at each level, with the most common factors promoting intention to uptake being the desire to protect oneself and others and a high perceived susceptibility to contracting COVID-19. This review highlights the existence of significant barriers to vaccine uptake on the African continent. Given that HCWs play a crucial role in guiding the public's vaccination decisions, it is imperative to prioritize education and training efforts about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Latin America and Africa: a scoping review

Vaccination has played an important role in the containment of COVID-19 pandemic advances. However, SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy has caused a global concern. This scoping review aims to map the scientific literature on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Latin America and Africa from a Global Health perspective, observing the particularities of the Global South and using parameters validated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The review reporting observes the recommendations of the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) model. Search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases, selecting studies published from January 1, 2020 to January 22, 2022. Selected studies indicate that COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy involves factors such as political scenario, spread of misinformation, regional differences in each territory regarding Internet access, lack of access to information, history of vaccination resistance, lack of information about the disease and the vaccine, concern about adverse events, and vaccine efficacy and safety. Regarding the use of conceptual and methodology references from the WHO for vaccine hesitancy, few studies (6/94) use research instruments based on these references. Then, the replication in Global South of conceptual and methodological parameters developed by experts from the Global North contexts has been criticized from the perspective of Global Health because of it may not consider political and sociocultural particularities, the different nuances of vaccine hesitancy, and issues of access to vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Ethiopia in 2021: a multicenter cross-sectional study

Introduction

Worldwide, hesitancy to be immunized against SARS-CoV-2 is the most common barrier to reducing COVID-19 incidence. Our study investigated determinants for hesitancy and will be helpful to community mobilizers, health professionals and policymakers.

Objective

To assess the prevalence and determinants of hesitancy to COVID-19 vaccination among patients attending public hospitals in South Gondar zone, Ethiopia.

Methods

A multicenter facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 November to 30 December 2021 to assess the prevalence and determinants of hesitancy to COVID-19 vaccination. Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression methods were employed using SPSS 23. Significance level was examined using an odds ratio at 95% CI. Multi-collinearity and model fitness were also checked.

Results

A total of 415 participants were included in the study, with a questionnaire response rate of 100%. The prevalence of hesitancy to COVID-19 vaccination was 46.02%. Age of >49 years, rural residency, fear of the adverse effects of the vaccines, myths about vaccine ineffectiveness and poor practices in COVID-19 prevention were the most common determinants of hesitancy.

Conclusions

Despite increased global morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19, the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy is still high. Therefore, it is important to create awareness in highly hesitant groups.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in the second wave of the pandemic among university students in Ethiopia: application of the health belief model

Background

The first case of COVID-19 virus was reported in Africa on 14 February 2020. The pandemic became more aggressive in the continent during the second wave than the first wave. Promoting vaccination behavior is an unparalleled measure to curb the spread of the pandemic. Regarding this, the health belief model (HBM) is the major model for understanding health behaviors. This study aimed to examine predictors of intended COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in the second wave of the pandemic among university students in Ethiopia using HBM.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 randomly selected medical and health science students at the University of Gondar from 21 August to 15 September 2020. Analysis of data was performed using STATA 14.0. Linear regression analysis was applied and a p value of less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.

Results

Among the total participants, 293 [72.2% (95.0%: CI: 67.2-76.8)] of them scored above the mean of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. HBM explained nearly 46.3% (adjusted R2 = 0.463) variance in intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Year of study (β = 0.288; 95% CI: 0.144-0.056), using social media (β = 0.58; 95% CI: 1.546-2.804), existing chronic disease (β = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.042-0.433), perceived overall health condition (β = 0.117; 95% CI: 0.307-0.091), perceived susceptibility (β = 0.58; 95% CI: 1.546-2.804), perceived benefit (β = 0.338; 95% CI: 1.578-2.863), and cues to action (β = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.388-0.99) were significantly associated with intended COVID-19 vaccine acceptance at p value < 0.5.

Conclusion

Approximately, three-quarters of the participants were above the mean score of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, which is higher compared to previous reports in resource-limited settings. Interventions in this study setting chould include placing emphasis on the risks of acquiring COVID-19, enhancing perceived benefits of COVID-19 vaccination and improving cues to action by advocating COVID-19 vaccination. Our findings also implied that social media health campaigns are significant factor in COVID-19 vaccination behavioral change in this study setting.

Knowledge, attitude, and intention to accept COVID-19 vaccine among patients with chronic diseases in southern Ethiopia: Multi-center study

Background

Most of the COVID-19 fatal cases and severe illnesses like acute respiratory distress syndrome occur in older adults and other people who have underlying medical comorbidities. Understanding patients with chronic disease' knowledge, attitudes, and intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine and related factors are necessary to control the mortality of COVID-19 infection. Therefore, this study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine among patients with chronic disease in Southern Ethiopia.

Methods and materials

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 409 patients with chronic diseases having a follow-up at the hospitals of the Southern region of Ethiopia from November 14, 2021, to December 24, 2021. A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was conducted to show the association of variables with knowledge, attitude, and intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The associations of variables were declared with the use of a 95% CI and P-value < 0.05.

Results

Overall, 79.2, 70.9, and 58.2% of participants had good knowledge, favorable attitude, and intent to take the COVID-19 vaccine, respectively. Age ≥49 years old (AOR = 1.643; 95% CI = 1.008-3.060) and college and above level of education (AOR = 3.002; 95% CI = 1.897-5.021) were found to be significantly associated with knowledge about COVID-19 vaccine. College and above level of education (AOR = 1.510; 95% CI = 1.002-3.975) and good knowledge (AOR = 3.560; 95% CI = 1.481-6.120) were found to be significantly associated with intention to take COVID-19 vaccine.

Conclusion and recommendation

Intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine was low among patients with chronic diseases to achieve herd immunity. Therefore, a holistic and multi-sectoral partnership is necessary for a successful COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Further health education and communication are very crucial methods to improve vaccine acceptance and lastly to achieve herd immunity.

Prevalence and Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among the Ethiopian Population: A Systematic Review

Introduction

Although vaccination is the most effective way to end the COVID-19 pandemic, there are growing concerns that vaccine hesitancy may undermine its effectiveness. In Ethiopia, vaccine hesitancy forms a major challenge to the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. This systematic review examined the prevalence and determinants of the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the Ethiopian population.

Methods

A systematic search of articles was conducted in PubMed, EBSCO, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar. Studies that evaluated the prevalence and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Ethiopia were included. The identified determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were analyzed based on the frequency of occurrence in the included studies.

Results

The overall COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy level in the Ethiopian population ranged from 14.1% to 68.7%. The high COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy rate observed in this study was due to contextual factors, individual factors, and vaccine-specific factors. Young age, female sex, living in rural areas, lack of adequate information, and lower education are the most common contextual determinants of the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Lack of awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine, low risk of COVID-19, poor adherence to COVID-19 prevention strategies, and negative attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine are the most frequently reported personal factors. Common vaccine-specific determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitation are the side effects of the vaccine and doubts about its effectiveness of the vaccine.

Conclusion

Our review showed that COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy remains highly prevalent and varied across regions of Ethiopia, with a wide variety of factors associated with it. Potential interventions on the benefits of vaccination and the adverse effects of vaccine rejection are crucial to enhance COVID-19 vaccine uptake among the Ethiopian population.

Attitude of health professionals towards COVID-19 vaccination and associated factors among health professionals, Western Ethiopia: A cross-sectional survey

INTRODUCTION

Even though people of the world were eagerly waiting for the hope of vaccine development, vaccine hesitancy is becoming the top concern in both developed and developing countries. However, there is no adequate evidence regarding the attitude and perception of health professionals towards the COVID 19 vaccine in resource-limited settings like Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess health professionals' attitudes and perceptions towards COVID 19 vaccine in Western Ethiopia.

METHODS

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among health care workers found in Nekemte town from April 14-21, 2021. A total of 439 health professionals present on duty during the study period was included in the study. The data were collected by using self-administered questionnaire. Epidata version 3.2 was used for data entry, and STATA version 14 was used for data analysis. The binary logistic regression model was employed to determine factors associated with the attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals was computed and statistical significance was declared at a 5% level (p-value < 0.05).

RESULT

A total of 431 health professionals participated in the study yielding a response rate of 98.1%. The results indicated that 51.28% (95%CI: 45.12%, 57.34%) of health professionals had a favorable attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. Having good knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine (AOR = 0.38, 95%CI: 0.22, 0.64, P-value <0.001) was negatively associated with unfavorable attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine, whereas age less than 30 years (AOR = 2.14, 95%CI:1.25,3.67, P-value <0.001), working in a private clinic (AOR = 7.77, 95% CI: 2.19, 27.58, P-value <0.001) and health center (AOR = 2.45, 95%CI: 1.01, 5.92, P-value = 0.045) were positively associated with unfavorable attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

In general, the attitude and perception of health care professionals toward the COVID-19 vaccine in the study area were unsatisfactory. Knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine, age of health care workers, and place of work are the factors which affects attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine. Thus, we recommend the media outlets and concerned bodies to work to develop trust among the public by disseminating accurate and consistent information about the vaccine.

Knowledge and attitude toward the second round of COVID-19 vaccines among teachers working at southern public universities in Ethiopia

About 1.9 million people in Ethiopia have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, which are given to frontline health care workers and university instructors through a campaign. After healthcare workers, teachers at all levels in Ethiopia are assumed to be at a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19. An institution-based cross-sectional study design was used. Simple random sampling was used to select participants. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was conducted for all variables, and a p-value < 0.05 at 95% CI was considered statistically significant. Overall, 60.8% and 79.7% of participants had good knowledge of and positive attitudes toward a second round of COVID-19 vaccines, respectively. Age (AOR = 1.51 [95% CI = 1.003–3.63]), profession (AOR = 1.402 [95% CI = 1.107–3.003]), work experience (AOR = 1.509 [95% CI = 1.151–2.283]), and chronic diseases (AOR = 2.142 [95% CI = 1.337–3.092]) were predictor variables for knowledge about the second round of COVID-19 vaccines. Sex (AOR = 1.386 [95% CI = 1.018–2.763]), marital status (AOR = 4.180 [95% CI = 2.397–6.989]), profession (AOR = 1.102 [95% CI = 1.008–3.123]), work experience (AOR = 1.211 [95% CI = 1.029–2.877]), and chronic diseases (AOR = 6.110 [95% CI = 4.892–10.661]) were predictor variables for attitudes toward a second round of COVID-19 vaccines. Generally, knowledge and attitudes toward the second round of COVID-19 vaccines among instructors were low. Thus, health education and communication are very crucial.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and its associated factors in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

COVID-19 vaccination is considered as an effective intervention for controlling the burden of the pandemic. However, vaccine hesitation is increasing and hindering efforts targeting to reduce the burden of the COVID-19 disease. Hence, determining COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and identifying determinants that would hinder people to vaccinate against COVID-19 is crucial to effectively improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake. In Ethiopia, the pooled proportion of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and its determinants is not well known. Thus, the aim of this study is to estimate the pooled proportion of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and its determinants in Ethiopia.

Methods

A systematic search of articles was conducted from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Science Direct and Cochrane Library. Data were extracted using a data extraction tool which was adapted from the Joanna Briggs Institute. The quality of each included primary studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale tool. Data analysis was performed using STATA 14. Heterogeneity in studies was assessed using Cochrane Q and I² test. Publication bias was assessed using visual inspection of funnel plots and Egger's test. A random effects model was applied to determine the pooled estimates if heterogeneity was exhibited; otherwise, a fixed-effects model was used.

Results

A total of 14 studies involving 6373 participants were included for the final analysis. The pooled proportion of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Ethiopia was 56.02% (95% CI: 47.84, 64.20). The likelihood of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was higher among participants who had history of chronic disease (AOR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.97), good knowledge (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.59, 4.97), positive attitude (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.21, 4.66), good COVID-19 preventive practice (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.82, 2.12), and high perceived seriousness of COVID-19 (AOR = 3.21, 95% CI: 2.32, 5.98).

Conclusion

More than half participants were willing to accept COVID-19 vaccine. Thus, awareness creation battles about the efficacy and safety of the COVID-19 vaccine should be provided to the community. Besides, policy-makers, health planners and other stakeholders should encourage COVID-19 vaccine uptake behaviors by providing trusted information.Systematic review and meta-analysis registration: PROSPERO CRD42021264708.

Covid-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Determinant Factors among General Public in East Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Vaccines are an effective and ideal solution that can reduce the burden of disease worldwide. Although vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. Anti-vaccine conspiracy theories impair vaccination acceptance intentions. Several studies were conducted in East Africa. However, these studies had reported inconsistent findings. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to pool the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and identify its determinants.

Methods

PubMed, Google Scholar, and GLOBAL HEALTH databases were used to retrieve previously published studies. All papers published in the English language up to February 28, 2022 were included. The result was written and reported according to the PRISMA updated guideline. A random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence and effect sizes. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 test statistics. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot and egger's test statistics. Statistical tests result at P-value<0.05 were declared as having significance.Result: A total of 25 Cross-sectional studies with a total sample size of 33,044 were included in this study. The pooled prevalence of Covid-19 vaccine acceptance was 60.2%, (95%CI: 52.8- 67.3). Egger's test statistics (P = 0.003) showed there is a significant publication bias. Attending above secondary school (AOR: 2.1, 95%CI: 1.37, 2.96), having good knowledge about the vaccine (AOR: 2.1, 95%CI: 1.6, 2.8), having a positive attitude towards vaccine (AOR: 3.8, 95%CI: 2.3, 6.2), history of COVID-19 infection (AOR: 2.7, 95%CI: 1.6, 4.7) and being male (AOR: 1.8, 95%CI: 1.2, 2.7) were found to have a significant association with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 vaccination acceptance rate was good, but it could be improved. The findings could help governments to figure out the best way to carry out COVID-19 mass vaccination campaigns. There is a lack of data in most countries. Therefore, we suggest more studies be conducted in the future.

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine and Its Associated Factors Among Ethiopian Population: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global health threat. Millions of lives were lost to COVID-19 and it has caused a substantial economic crisis throughout the world. The development of coronavirus vaccines has pinned a new hope in combating the pandemic. The success of vaccination and development of herd immunity highly depend on the willingness to be vaccinated, not merely on the availability of a vaccine. This review aims to provide comprehensive evidence on acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine and its associated factors in Ethiopia.

METHODS

Literature searching was done using PubMed, Google scholar and Science direct databases. Studies conducted in Ethiopia, published in English language from inception until January 9, 2022 were included. Retrieved articles were screened based on titles, abstracts and full text reading to identify studies that met the inclusion criteria. About 21 eligible studies were included in this systematic review. The data were extracted using a data extraction checklist.

RESULTS

A total of 2058 records were retrieved, of which 21 were eligible for this systematic review. All of the articles were cross-sectional studies published in 2021. In Ethiopia, the level of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance ranged from 31.4% to 92.33%. The vaccine acceptance level was significantly associated with age groups, sex, educational status, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefit, knowledge about COVID-19 vaccine, and other socio-demographic factors.

CONCLUSION

A significant portion of the studies revealed vaccine acceptance level was low. Variation of vaccine acceptance was associated with socio-demographic factors (age, sex, educational status, etc.), information-related factors, and other health-related behaviors. Dissemination of clear and adequate information concerning the vaccine might be the required prior activity to increase acceptance of the vaccine. Hence, there should be a coordinated effort to halt the pandemic through increasing the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine.

Perceptions and Experiences of COVID-19 Vaccine Side-Effects Among Healthcare Workers in Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

We examined the perceptions of healthcare workers about the side-effects of COVID-19 vaccine and the types of side-effects they experienced in the post-vaccination period.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional survey research design was used in which a semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to collect quantitative data from healthcare workers in Southern Ethiopia that were selected on the basis of a multi-stage cluster sampling technique. After inserting the completed cases into SPSS software, descriptive statistical techniques, such as frequencies, percentages, charts and inferential statistical tool, particularly binary logistic regression analysis, were used to analyze and present the data.

Results

Majority (43.6%) of respondents perceive that COVID-19 vaccine will have muscle pain around the injection site, followed by fever (39.9%), problems of blood clots (37.8%), headache (35.6%), fatigue (33.5%), and aching limbs (16%). And 63.6%) of them reported that they have experienced muscle pain around the injection site after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, followed by fatigue (42%), headache (37.2%), fever (34.2%), redness around the injection site (21.6%), and swelling around the injection site (17.8%). Moreover, 25% reported that the fear of potential side-effects of COVID-19 vaccine inhibited them from taking the vaccine. Above all, it is found that respondents’ expectation of COVID-19 vaccine to have such serious side-effects is significantly associated to their educational status (OR = 0.229; P < 0.01; 95%C.I.: 0.080–0.651).

Conclusion

While the expectations of most of the healthcare workers regarding the side-effects of the vaccine are parallel to the normal reactions of the vaccine, a significant proportion of the study participants have reported that they perceive COVID-19 vaccine will have life-threatening side-effects. Such fears have also played a role in affecting vaccine uptake. Therefore, the Ministry of Health, and other concerned government bodies should create further awareness on COVID-19 vaccine and related safety issues.

Knowledge and Proportion of COVID-19 Vaccination and Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending Public Hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2021: A Multicenter Study

Background

Cancer patients are classified as being at high risk of contracting COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death and were recommended to have early access to the limited COVID-19 vaccine. However, there are limited studies on the knowledge and acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among cancer patients. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the awareness, readiness, and associated factors among cancer patients.

Methods

Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 422 cancer patients from May to August, 2021. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect primary data. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression followed by multivariable analysis were performed to investigate the independent association of factors with the outcome variable. Finally, statistical significance was declared at P <0.05 using AOR and 95% CI.

Results

From the 422 cancer patients who participated, 77 (18.2%) had a history of COVID-19 infection, and 224 (55%) believe that the cancer disease will not make them more vulnerable to be infected by COVID-19. Accordingly, younger age (18–30 years) (AOR = 2.73: 95% CI: 0.18, 4.51), female (AOR = 6.4: 95% CI: 0.7, 13.8), having information about COVID-19 vaccine (AOR = 6.9: 95% CI: 3.1, 15.2), COVID-19 infection history (AOR = 6.0: 95% CI: 2.5, 11.8), duration since cancer diagnosis (≥10 years) (AOR= 6.2: 95% CI: 2.6, 14.7), and belief about the likelihood of dying of COVID-19 infection (AOR = 3.05: 95% CI: 1.03, 4.05) were the independent predictors of the likelihood of receiving COVID-19 vaccine among cancer patients.

Conclusion

This study has found significant cancer patients with poor knowledge about the vaccine, and the percentage of both the first and second round of COVID-19 vaccination was small. Therefore, information communication with cancer patients and oncologists about the COVID-19 vaccine may help to decrease vaccine hesitancy.