Abstract:
Introduction
Coronavirus disease 2019 was declared a pandemic in March 2020. Vaccination is an important tool in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As vaccines for COVID-19 have been developed and deployed, one of the questions being asked is what determines its acceptance by the people in relation to past vaccine experience, knowledge on the disease, beliefs and understanding of the vaccine? This research was to assess determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Asuogyaman district of the Eastern Region of Ghana.
Methodology
This was a quantitative cross-sectional study conducted in Asuogyaman District, Ghana between July and September 2022 with 365 randomly selected participants aged 15 years and older. Analysis was done using Stata 17.0 with Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression models with a p- value < 0.05 as the threshold of statistical significance.
Results
Out of the 365 study participants, 288 (78.90%) indicated their unwillingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. One key reason as identified was AEFI or the side effect of the vaccine after their 1st dose of the vaccine, more than half 117/166 (70.48%). Age and educational level were found to be associated with the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Persons aged 26-45years [AOR=0.31 (95% CI: 0.11, 0.92), p=0.034] 46-55years [AOR=0.20 (95% CI: 0.05, 0.87), p=0.032] were 69% times and 80% less likely to accept COVID-19 vaccine.
Conclusions
There is low knowledge level about Coronavirus disease in the district. There is also low COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in the area. Age, educational level and AEFI were the key factors identified.
