COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among high-risk populations in Uganda
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease
Abstract
Background: Immunization is an important strategy for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 vaccination was recently launched in Uganda, with prioritization to healthcare
workers and high-risk individuals. In this study, we aimed to determine the acceptability of
COVID-19 vaccine among persons at high risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in Uganda.
Methods: Between 29 March and 14 April 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey
consecutively recruiting persons at high risk of severe COVID-19 (diabetes mellitus, HIV
and cardiovascular disease) attending Kiruddu National Referral Hospital outpatient
clinics. A trained research nurse administered a semi-structured questionnaire assessing
demographics, COVID-19 vaccine related attitudes and acceptability. Descriptive statistics,
bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed using STATA 16.
Results: A total of 317 participants with a mean age 51.5±14.1years were recruited. Of this,
184 (60.5%) were female. Overall, 216 (70.1%) participants were willing to accept the COVID-19
vaccine. The odds of willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccination were four times greater if a
participant was male compared with if a participant was female [adjusted odds ratio (AOR):
4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8–9.4, p=0.00]. Participants who agreed (AOR: 0.04,
95% CI: 0.01–0.38, p=0.003) or strongly agreed (AOR: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01–0.59, p=0.005) that
they have some immunity against COVID-19 were also significantly less likely to accept the
vaccine. Participants who had a history of vaccination hesitancy for their children were also
significantly less likely to accept the COVID-19 vaccine (AOR: 0.1, 95% CI: 0.01–0.58, p=0.016).
Conclusion: The willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in this group of high-risk
individuals was comparable to the global COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate. Increased
sensitization, myth busting and utilization of opinion leaders to encourage vaccine
acceptability is recommended.
Description
Keywords
: COVID-19,, high-risk population,, Uganda,, vaccines
Citation
Bongomin, F., Olum, R., Andia-Biraro, I., Nakwagala, F. N., Hassan, K. H., Nassozi, D. R., ... & Kirenga, B. J. (2021). COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among high-risk populations in Uganda. Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease, 8, 20499361211024376.