Factors Associated with the Uptake Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus Two Vaccination in Zambia: Case of Mongu District

Abstract

Since the vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus two (SARS-CoV-2) became accessible in Zambia, there has been limited uptake. The study aimed to determine social cognitive aspects linked with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in Mongu. A descriptive quantitative Survey was conducted from December 2021 to April 2022. Cochrane single proportion formula was used to determined sample size of 369 respondents based on 60% herd immunity criterion. Stata version 14 was used to perform Chi square and binary logistic regression. Findings indicated that, vaccination level is still below average, and most non-vaccinated people were unwilling to be vaccinated because they “simply haven’t gotten around to it”. ‘Views on Covid-19 news’, ‘worrying about getting sick/a household member getting sick from Covid-19,” real financial effect of Covid-19 at personal level,’ ‘ages of household Members,’ marital status, religion, academic qualification, and ages of respondents were associated with SAR-CoV-2 vaccination. Social cognitive predictors of vaccination were 30-49-year-old household members and worry about household members being sick. Misconceptions about SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations prevent vaccination. Therefore, there is need scale-up sensitisation, and sensitisation messages should address the need to protect household members and especially having the most mobile age groups (30-49 years) to be vaccinated to reduce on community spread of the infection. Future studies should analyze the proportions of AstraZeneca’s one-dose recipients who did not return for the second dose and the willingness of the completely vaccinated to accept a booster shot. Keywords: Mongu, SARS-CoV-2, Social cognitive Theory, Vaccine, Uptake, Zambia.