Knowledge, attitude, and perception on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance: cross-sectional study among Eritrean refugees in Kampala.

Abstract

Introduction: the impact of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on public health has been significant and wide-ranging. It has led to widespread illness, strain on healthcare systems, and various public health measures to control its spread. Several pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and scientists have been racing against the clock to develop a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 in a short period. Despite the efforts by governments, organizations, and public health experts to reach the target population, vaccine hesitancy among the communities remains a major impediment to mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic. A strategy to address the factors that contribute to low vaccine utilization must be in place for a vaccination program to achieve herd immunity.

Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive survey of 383 study participants was conducted between February 26^th and March 24^th, 2022. A multistage sampling technique was used to enroll the study. For subjects, data was collected by trained research assistants who speak Eritrea's native language (Tigrigna) using a pretested structured questionnaire. The factors associated with the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine were identified using a binary logistic regression model at P-values less than 0.05.

Results: according to the findings of this study, 65.8% of Eritrean refugees in Kampala were willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. The study discovered that marital status, knowledge of COVID-19, positive attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine, and belief in conspiracy theories are the independent factors that are associated with vaccine acceptance behavior among refugees.

Conclusion: there was a low likelihood of accepting the COVID-19 vaccine in this study. Thus, stakeholders must work together to educate the public about the COVID-19 vaccine. The health authority must inform the public about the vaccine's benefits while also addressing the vaccine's side effects and safety concerns.