Dataset Information

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a developing country: prevalence, explanatory factors and implications for the future.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Vaccine hesitancy is a public health challenge highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study sought to determine the prevalence and explanatory factors leading to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Jamaican population to inform vaccination strategies.

Study design

This was an exploratory cross-sectional study.

Methods

An exploratory survey was distributed electronically between September and October 2021 to gather information on COVID-19 vaccination behaviour and beliefs among the Jamaican population. Data were expressed as frequencies and analysed using Chi-squared followed by multivariate logistic regressions. Significant analyses were determined at P < 0.05.

Results

Of the 678 eligible responses, most were females (71.5%, n = 485), between ages 18-45 years (68.2%, n = 462), had tertiary education (83.4%, n = 564) and were employed (73.4%, n = 498), with 10.6% (n = 44) being healthcare workers. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was present in 29.8% (n = 202) of the survey population, mainly because of safety and efficacy concerns and a general lack of reliable information about the vaccines. The likelihood of hesitancy increased amongst respondents under 36 years (odds ratio [OR] 6.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.6, 12.9), those who delayed initial acceptance of vaccines (OR 2.7, 95% CI 2.3, 3.1); parents for their children and with long waits at vaccination centres. Likelihood of hesitancy decreased for respondents over 36 years (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.8, 7.8) and with vaccine support from pastors/religious leaders (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1, 2.4).

Conclusions

Vaccine hesitancy was more prevalent in younger respondents who were never exposed to the effects of vaccine-preventable diseases. Religious leaders had more influence than healthcare workers to increase vaccine uptake.

SUBMITTER: Wynter-Adams D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9899772 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a developing country: prevalence, explanatory factors and implications for the future.

Wynter-Adams D D Thomas-Brown P P

Public health 20230206

<h4>Objectives</h4>Vaccine hesitancy is a public health challenge highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study sought to determine the prevalence and explanatory factors leading to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Jamaican population to inform vaccination strategies.<h4>Study design</h4>This was an exploratory cross-sectional study.<h4>Methods</h4>An exploratory survey was distributed electronically between September and October 2021 to gather information on COVID-19 vaccination behavio ...[more]

PMID: 36889053

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Dataset Information

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a developing country: prevalence, explanatory factors and implications for the future.

Objectives

Study design

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a developing country: prevalence, explanatory factors and implications for the future.

Similar Datasets

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