Dataset Information

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

ABSTRACT: We investigated the level of willingness for COVID-19 vaccination in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Data were collected between 24 August 2020 and 8 September 2020 through an online survey. A total of 4131 responses were included; mean age of respondents was 35 years (standard deviation: 11.5); 68.4% were females; 71% had elementary or secondary school education. One fourth (24.1%) were convinced that COVID-19 did not exist. Overall, 2310 (55.9%) indicated they were willing to be vaccinated. In a multivariable regression model, belonging to the middle and high-income category (OR = 1.85, CI: 1.46-2.35 and OR = 2.91, CI: 2.15-3.93, respectively), being tested for COVID-19 (OR = 4.71, CI: 3.62-6.12; p < 0.001), COVID-19 community vaccine acceptance (OR = 14.45, CI: 2.91-71.65; p = 0.001) and acknowledging the existence of COVID-19 (OR = 6.04, CI: 4.42-8.23; p < 0.001) were associated with an increased willingness to be vaccinated. Being a healthcare worker was associated with a decreased willingness for vaccination (OR = 0.46, CI: 0.36-0.58; p < 0.001). In conclusion, the current willingness for COVID-19 vaccination among citizens of the DRC is too low to dramatically decrease community transmission. Of great concern is the low intention of immunization among healthcare workers. A large sensitization campaign will be needed to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

SUBMITTER: Ditekemena JD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7917589 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Ditekemena John D JD Nkamba Dalau M DM Mutwadi Armand A Mavoko Hypolite M HM Siewe Fodjo Joseph Nelson JN Luhata Christophe C Obimpeh Michael M Van Hees Stijn S Nachega Jean B JB Colebunders Robert R

Vaccines 20210214 2

We investigated the level of willingness for COVID-19 vaccination in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Data were collected between 24 August 2020 and 8 September 2020 through an online survey. A total of 4131 responses were included; mean age of respondents was 35 years (standard deviation: 11.5); 68.4% were females; 71% had elementary or secondary school education. One fourth (24.1%) were convinced that COVID-19 did not exist. Overall, 2310 (55.9%) indicated they were willing to be vaccin ...[more]

PMID: 33672938

Similar Datasets

Project description:Vaccination is a critical intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality and limit strain on health systems caused by COVID-19. The slow pace of COVID-19 vaccination uptake observed in some settings raises concerns about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced logistical challenges and low uptake at the start of vaccine distribution, leading to one of the lowest overall COVID-19 vaccine coverage rates in the world in 2021. This study assessed the magnitude and associated factors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among healthcare workers (HCWs) in seven provinces in DRC. We implemented a cross-sectional Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) questionnaire targeting HCWs, administered by trained data collectors in Haut-Katanga, Kasaï Orientale, Kinshasa, Kongo Centrale, Lualaba, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces. Data were summarized and statistical tests were performed to assess factors associated with vaccine uptake. HCWs across the seven provinces completed the questionnaire (N = 5,102), of whom 46.3% had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Older age, being married, being a medical doctor, being a rural resident, and having access to or having previously worked in a COVID-19 vaccination site were all strongly associated with vaccination uptake. Vaccinated individuals most frequently cited protection of themselves, their families, and their communities as motivations for being vaccinated, whereas unvaccinated individuals were most concerned about safety, effectiveness, and risk of severe side effects. The findings suggest an opinion divide between vaccine-willing and vaccine-hesitant HCWs. A multidimensional approach may be needed to increase the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine for HCWs. Future vaccine campaign messaging could center around the positive impact of vaccination on protecting friends, family, and the community, and also emphasize the safety and very low risk of adverse effects. These types of messages may further be useful when planning future immunization campaigns with new vaccines.

Dataset Information

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Publications

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets