Addressing the Socio-demographic Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among the General Population in a Rural Block of Andhra Pradesh, India: A Community Based Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Vaccine hesitancy continues to impede the attempts made globally in combating the COVID-19pandemic. Hence, this study aims to determine the socio-demographic factors associated with COVID-19 vaccinehesitancy among the general population in a rural block of Andhra Pradesh.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of a rural blockin Andhra Pradesh. A total of 210 participants were recruited through multi- stage random sampling technique.Data was collected through semi-structured schedule method. Descriptive statistics was computed to describethe socio-demographic characteristics, and Chi-square test was applied to assess the association between vaccinehesitancy and socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants.Results: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy rate among rural population was 45.5%. Statistically significant associationwas observed between vaccine hesitancy and socio-demographic characteristics like: age between 40-49 years,females, Hindus, illiterates, unemployed, marginal workers, lower middle class and those with two children intheir family.Conclusion: High prevalence of vaccine hesitancy was noted among rural population. Mass media strategies,evidence-based communication, and policy measures will have to be implemented across rural areas with specialfocus on groups identified with vaccine hesitancy.