COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A survey of unvaccinated adults
Health SA Gesondheid
| Field | Value | |
| Title | COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A survey of unvaccinated adults | |
| Creator | Gengiah, Tanuja N. Naidoo, Donavan C. Maduma, Nomcebo Govender, Saien Dhindayal, Sherishka Lewis, Lara | |
| Description | Background: Concerns and misconceptions surrounding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines may account for vaccine hesitancy and low uptake.Aim: To determine prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, vaccine-related misconceptions, and predictors of vaccine hesitancy among South Africans.Setting: Community setting in five districts in KwaZulu- Natal province.Methods: Between August 20, 2021, and September 27, 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey, interviewing 300 unvaccinated adults amid the national vaccination campaign. Predictors of hesitancy were identified through multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results: Participants had a median age of 29 years (IQR: 23–39), 86.7% were Black African, 63.2% were male, 53.3% resided in rural communities, and 59.3% (95% CI: 53.8% – 64.9%) were classified as vaccine hesitant. The primary reason for not vaccinating was a lack of trust in the vaccine (62.1%). Factors associated with reduced vaccine hesitancy included age (participants aged 35–49 years: OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.18–0.64, p = 0.003; participants over 50 years: OR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.07–0.47, p = 0.0004), previous COVID-19 infection (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.11–0.87, p = 0.03), and receiving vaccine information from healthcare workers (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.10–1.0, p = 0.05). Unemployed (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.1–4.2, p = 0.03) and self-employed individuals (OR: 2.98, 95% CI: 1.27–7.02, p = 0.01) were more likely to be vaccine hesitant.Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy rates are high in KwaZulu-Natal. Uptake could be enhanced by healthcare workers leading information campaigns with messages targeting younger individuals, the unemployed, and the self-employed.Contribution: This survey provides evidence to improve COVID-19 vaccination uptake in South Africa. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS Publishing | |
| Date | 2024-02-01 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/hsag.v29i0.2468 | |
| Source | Health SA Gesondheid; Vol 29 (2024); 8 pages 2071-9736 1025-9848 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
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