Abstract
Vaccines are one of the most effective public health strategies to protect against infectious diseases, yet vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a global health threat. Understanding COVID-19 knowledge and attitudes and their association with vaccine intentions can help the targeting of strategies to increase vaccination uptake and achieve herd immunity. The goal of this study was to assess COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, and identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine intentions among heads of households in Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2021 among 551 randomly selected households. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, and knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding COVID-19 and the vaccines. More than half (55.7%) of the respondents reported intending to vaccinate themselves or their households. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that the likelihood of vaccine intentions was most strongly associated with confidence in vaccine safety. Additionally, the odds of intending to get vaccinated were significantly higher among heads of households who were male, had a higher level of education, and identified vaccination and face mask usage as prevention measures. Among perceived motivators to vaccinate, recommendations from the World Health Organization and availability of the vaccine free of charge increased the likelihood of vaccine intentions, while country of vaccine manufacturer posed a barrier to vaccine intentions. As the vaccine rollout in Zimbabwe continues, efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage and achieve herd immunity should target females and less educated populations and be tailored to address concerns about vaccine safety and country of manufacturer.
Highlights
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has resulted in over 218 million cases and 4.5 million deaths globally [1]
This study found that women were more skeptical about COVID-19 vaccines, which is consistent with other studies that have identified gender differences in vaccine confidence and acceptability [21,22]
This secondary data analysis was based on a population-based survey conducted as part of a larger study to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria transmission and control in Zimbabwe
Summary
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has resulted in over 218 million cases and 4.5 million deaths globally [1]. Despite the increasing availability of COVID-19 vaccines globally, an ever-growing concern in global health is the equitable distribution of and access to vaccines, especially in low- and middle-income countries. To promote COVID-19 vaccine equity, the COVAX facility has targeted to distribute more than 2 billion doses globally by the end of 2021, with the goal of reaching 20% population coverage [3]. Many low- and middle-income countries still face challenges in the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines because of lack of vaccine manufacturing capacity, fragile healthcare systems, logistical challenges with transporting and storing vaccines, shortages in health care workers, and poor access to essential health services [5,6,7]. Efforts to reduce the burden of COVID-19 through vaccination are further compounded by the emerging threat of vaccine hesitancy [8]
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