COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among high-risk populations in Uganda
dc.contributor.author | Bongomin, Felix | |
dc.contributor.author | Olum, Ronald | |
dc.contributor.author | Andia-Biraro, Irene | |
dc.contributor.author | Nakwagala, Frederick Nelson | |
dc.contributor.author | Hudow Hassan, Khalid | |
dc.contributor.author | Nassozi, Dianah Rhoda | |
dc.contributor.author | Kaddumukasa, Mark | |
dc.contributor.author | Byakika-Kibwika, Pauline | |
dc.contributor.author | Kiguli, Sarah | |
dc.contributor.author | Kirenga, Bruce J. | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2023-11-30T10:54:48Z | |
dc.date.available | 2023-11-30T10:54:48Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2021 | |
dc.description.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. | en_US |
dc.description.sponsorship | Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of State’s Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy (S/GAC), and President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) under Award Number 1R25TW011213 | en_US |
dc.identifier.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. | en_US |
dc.identifier.other | https://doi.org/10.1177/20499361211024376 | |
dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14270/408 | |
dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
dc.publisher | Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease | en_US |
dc.subject | : COVID-19, | en_US |
dc.subject | high-risk population, | en_US |
dc.subject | Uganda, | en_US |
dc.subject | vaccines | en_US |
dc.title | COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among high-risk populations in Uganda | en_US |
dc.type | Article | en_US |