1
|
Weierbach FM, Adkins Fletcher R, Luffman IE, Meyer C, Keener JM, Ahuja M, Mamudu HM. Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in South Central Appalachia. JOURNAL OF APPALACHIAN HEALTH 2023; 5:71-84. [PMID: 38784140 PMCID: PMC11110903 DOI: 10.13023/jah.0503.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Introduction The newly emergent COVID-19 virus reached pandemic levels in March 2020. By the middle of August 2020, there were over 1 million deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the U.S., with those in rural areas outpacing urban counterparts. Prior to emergency approval of the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine formulations, mitigation efforts addressing individual behavior were challenging. However, even with the entrance of these three new vaccines, herd immunity was not achieved in rural areas, as vaccine uptake remained low there. Although there has since been an abundance of COVID-19-related research addressing health literacy, vaccine hesitancy and overall medical mistrust, few of these studies focus on Appalachia. Purpose This study identifies barriers and facilitators to adherence with COVID-19 mitigation, focusing specifically on vaccine hesitancy in South Central Appalachia. Methods A secondary data study was conducted with a subset of Appalachian residents from the COVID-19 Public Health survey. Participants were grouped by county using ARC economic county designations for analysis. The dependent variable, vaccine hesitancy, was explored in relation to five categories of independent variable: (1) demographics (with four conceptual areas); (2) belief; (3) action; (4) medical mistrust; and (5) health literacy. Results Findings indicate vaccine hesitancy attributes include beliefs addressing COVID-19 threat, overstatement of severity of illness, risk of vaccines, vaccine safety information not present from manufacturer, and independent decision to vaccinate. Findings from this study are comparable to HPV vaccine studies in Appalachia. Implications As interventions are developed for Appalachia, it is paramount to focus vaccine administration at the individual and population level.
Collapse
|
2
|
Sewpaul R, Sifunda S, Gaida R, Mokhele T, Naidoo I, Reddy SP. Vaccine hesitancy and related factors among South African adults in 2021: unpacking uncertainty versus unwillingness. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1233031. [PMID: 38026341 PMCID: PMC10654970 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1233031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Amidst widespread public health recommendations and availability of COVID-19 vaccinations, half of South African adults are vaccinated against COVID-19. This study investigated the socio-behavioral determinants of vaccine hesitancy in South Africa, where vaccine hesitancy was separated into unwilling ness and uncertainty to take a COVID-19 vaccine. Methods Data was collected from a large-scale public survey during June-October 2021 that included online and telephonic surveys. Vaccination hesitancy was based on the question "When available, would you take the COVID 19 vaccine?," with responses categorized into those who were willing, unwilling, and uncertain about taking a COVID-19 vaccine. Multinomial regression examined the association between socio-behavioral variables and vaccine hesitancy. Results Overall, 73.8% reported they would definitely or probably take the vaccine, 16.4% were uncertain and 9.9% reported they probably or definitely would not (n = 16,988). Younger age, White and Colored population groups, no influenza vaccination history, previous vaccination refusal, knowing someone who experienced a serious vaccination side-effect, misperceptions about vaccine benefits, cultural or religious discouragement from taking a COVID-19 vaccination, lack of governmental confidence, concerns about side-effects, perceived lack of safety information, and lack of trust in the pharmaceutical industry and in the information from health care providers were all associated with higher odds of being uncertain and unwilling to take a COVID-19 vaccination. Strengths of association for unwillingness and uncertainty varied by the explanatory variables. Concern about effectiveness due to fast development was associated with uncertainty to take the vaccine but not with unwillingness. Concerns about side-effects had stronger associations with uncertainty than with unwillingness, while previous vaccine refusal, misperceptions of the protective benefits of vaccines, White population group, religious/cultural discouragement, and lack of trust in the pharmaceutical industry and health care providers' information had stronger associations with unwillingness than uncertainty. Conclusion The determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy should be addressed in interventions to improve vaccine uptake. Public health interventions and health communication can be prioritized and tailored to the different forms of vaccination hesitancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronel Sewpaul
- Public Health, Societies and Belonging, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sibusiso Sifunda
- Public Health, Societies and Belonging, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Razia Gaida
- Aquity Innovations, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Tholang Mokhele
- eResearch Knowledge Centre, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Inbarani Naidoo
- Public Health, Societies and Belonging, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Padonou SGR, Kakaï Glèlè C, Accrombessi M, Adegbite BR, Dangbenon E, Bah H, Akogbeto E, Bah Chabi AI, Kaucley L, Sourakatou S, Dossou A, Batonon A, Bissouma-Ledjou T, Hounkpatin B. Assessment of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Its Associated Factors during the Crisis: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Benin. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1104. [PMID: 37376493 PMCID: PMC10305180 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11061104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Having a maximum number of people vaccinated was the objective to control the COVID-19 pandemic. We report in this manuscript the factors associated with the willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 during the pandemic period. METHODS From April to May 2022, a community-based cross-sectional survey was performed. Participants were randomly selected from four districts in Benin (taking into account the COVID-19 prevalence). Mixed-effect logistic regression models were used to identify the variables associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. RESULTS A total of 2069 participants were included. The proportion of vaccine acceptance was 43.3%. A total of 24.2% were vaccinated and showed proof of vaccination. The population's request for vaccination was higher after the third epidemic wave. The district of residence, the education level, a fear of being infected, the channel of information, poor medical conditions, a good knowledge of the transmission mode and symptoms, and good behaviors were significantly associated with vaccine acceptance. CONCLUSION The overall acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in the Beninese population was relatively high. However, vaccine campaigns in areas with a low acceptance as well as the disclosure of information, particularly on our knowledge of the disease and the safety, side effects, and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, should be strengthened with adapted and consistent messages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Manfred Accrombessi
- Disease Control Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- African Public Health Consulting and Research Group, Cotonou, Benin
- Cotonou Entomological Research Center, Ministry of Health, Cotonou 06 BP 2604, Benin
| | - Bayode Romeo Adegbite
- Alliance for the Promotion of Community Health, Research and Scientific Innovation, Cotonou, Benin
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambarene BP242, Gabon
| | - Edouard Dangbenon
- African Public Health Consulting and Research Group, Cotonou, Benin
- Cotonou Entomological Research Center, Ministry of Health, Cotonou 06 BP 2604, Benin
| | - Houssaïnatou Bah
- Country Office, World Health Organization, Cotonou 01BP 918, Benin
| | | | | | | | | | - Ange Dossou
- Ministry of Health, Cotonou 01 BP 882, Benin
| | | | | | - Benjamin Hounkpatin
- Ministry of Health, Cotonou 01 BP 882, Benin
- Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou 01 BP 526, Benin
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sojati J, Murali A, Pressimone C, Dakroub A. A Cross-Sectional Factor Analysis of COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccination Decisions in a Racially Diverse Western Pennsylvania Community. J Prim Care Community Health 2023; 14:21501319231212287. [PMID: 37994782 PMCID: PMC10668581 DOI: 10.1177/21501319231212287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination rates remain suboptimal, demanding new community-centric approaches that improve targeted counseling and increase vaccine uptake. Notably, racially diverse communities show high vaccine hesitancy, yet most existing vaccine studies focus on white, college-educated cohorts. OBJECTIVE Here, we identify factors influencing vaccination decisions of patients at Turtle Creek Primary Care clinic in Turtle Creek, PA, a racially-diverse borough. DESIGN A retrospective mixed-methods study of the predominantly non-white patient population at Turtle Creek Primary Care clinic, a clinic caring for >70% minority patients. RESULTS Fourteen factors emerged that patients reported were crucial to vaccine decision-making. Of these factors, top reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were trust in vaccines, vaccine side effects, perceived vaccine knowledge, and faith/religion. Top reasons for influenza vaccine hesitancy were perceived need, vaccine side effects, trust in vaccines, and habitual behaviors. We also uncovered correlations between vaccine decision factors and sociodemographic factors. Participants > 65-years-old were more likely to cite personal safety in choosing to get the COVID-19 vaccine, while non-white participants were more likely to cite others' safety. Participants > 65-years-old were also more likely to cite personal safety in influenza vaccine decision-making, and non-female participants were more likely to cite perceived need for influenza vaccines. CONCLUSIONS These data uncover targetable factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy and aid in developing community-centered, personalized vaccine education approaches in Turtle Creek and analogous minority communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorna Sojati
- School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anjana Murali
- School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Allie Dakroub
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ba MF, Faye A, Kane B, Diallo AI, Junot A, Gaye I, Bonnet E, Ridde V. Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Senegal: A mixed study. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2060020. [PMID: 35543616 PMCID: PMC9897646 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2060020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was an explanatory, sequential, mixed-methods design conducted in Senegal. We collected quantitative data from December 24, 2020, to January 16, 2021, and qualitative data from February 19 to March 30, 2021. We conducted a telephone survey among a marginal quota sample of 607 people over 18 years old. We performed descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses with R software for the quantitative phase; and performed manual content analyses for the qualitative phase. We surveyed 607 people for the quantitative phase and interviewed 30 people for the qualitative phase. Individuals who hesitated or refused to be vaccinated represented 12.9% and 32.8%, respectively. Vaccine hesitancy was related to gender, living in large cities, having a poor attitude toward the vaccine, thinking that the vaccine would not help protect them from the virus, being influenced by people important to them, and lacking information from health professionals. Vaccine refusal was related to living in large cities, having a poor attitude toward the vaccine, thinking that the vaccine would not help protect them from the virus, thinking that the vaccine could endanger their health, trusting opinions of people who were important to them, and lacking information from health professionals. The results of the study show that the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and refusal are diverse and complex. Addressing these factors will help to ensure better vaccination coverage. Governments and health authorities should intensify their efforts to promote vaccine confidence and reduce misinformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mouhamadou Faly Ba
- Institute of Health and Development (ISED), Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal,CONTACT Mouhamadou Faly Ba Institute of Health and Development (ISED), Cheikh Anta Diop University, PA: 16390, Dakar-FannDakar, Senegal
| | - Adama Faye
- Institute of Health and Development (ISED), Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Babacar Kane
- Institute of Health and Development (ISED), Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Amadou Ibra Diallo
- Institute of Health and Development (ISED), Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Amandine Junot
- STAPS Department, Faculty of Human and Environmental Sciences, La Réunion University, Le-Tampon, Réunion
| | - Ibrahima Gaye
- Institute of Health and Development (ISED), Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Valéry Ridde
- Institute of Health and Development (ISED), Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal,ERL INSERM SAGESUD, CEPED, IRD-University of Paris, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Revisiting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy around the world using data from 23 countries in 2021. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3801. [PMID: 35778396 PMCID: PMC9247969 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31441-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 85.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact daily life, including health system operations, despite the availability of vaccines that are effective in greatly reducing the risks of death and severe disease. Misperceptions of COVID-19 vaccine safety, efficacy, risks, and mistrust in institutions responsible for vaccination campaigns have been reported as factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy. This study investigated COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy globally in June 2021. Nationally representative samples of 1,000 individuals from 23 countries were surveyed. Data were analyzed descriptively, and weighted multivariable logistic regressions were used to explore associations with vaccine hesitancy. Here, we show that more than three-fourths (75.2%) of the 23,000 respondents report vaccine acceptance, up from 71.5% one year earlier. Across all countries, vaccine hesitancy is associated with a lack of trust in COVID-19 vaccine safety and science, and skepticism about its efficacy. Vaccine hesitant respondents are also highly resistant to required proof of vaccination; 31.7%, 20%, 15%, and 14.8% approve requiring it for access to international travel, indoor activities, employment, and public schools, respectively. For ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaigns to succeed in improving coverage going forward, substantial challenges remain to be overcome. These include increasing vaccination among those reporting lower vaccine confidence in addition to expanding vaccine access in low- and middle-income countries. Vaccine hesitancy is a public health challenge. Here the authors examine COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in June 2021 using a survey including individuals from 23 countries, and report differences compared to a year earlier.
Collapse
|
7
|
Alam KN, Khan MS, Dhruba AR, Khan MM, Al-Amri JF, Masud M, Rawashdeh M. Deep Learning-Based Sentiment Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccination Responses from Twitter Data. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2021; 2021:4321131. [PMID: 34899965 PMCID: PMC8660217 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4321131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on many people, creating severe anxiety, fear, and complicated feelings or emotions. After the initiation of vaccinations against coronavirus, people's feelings have become more diverse and complex. Our aim is to understand and unravel their sentiments in this research using deep learning techniques. Social media is currently the best way to express feelings and emotions, and with the help of Twitter, one can have a better idea of what is trending and going on in people's minds. Our motivation for this research was to understand the diverse sentiments of people regarding the vaccination process. In this research, the timeline of the collected tweets was from December 21 to July21. The tweets contained information about the most common vaccines available recently from across the world. The sentiments of people regarding vaccines of all sorts were assessed using the natural language processing (NLP) tool, Valence Aware Dictionary for sEntiment Reasoner (VADER). Initializing the polarities of the obtained sentiments into three groups (positive, negative, and neutral) helped us visualize the overall scenario; our findings included 33.96% positive, 17.55% negative, and 48.49% neutral responses. In addition, we included our analysis of the timeline of the tweets in this research, as sentiments fluctuated over time. A recurrent neural network- (RNN-) oriented architecture, including long short-term memory (LSTM) and bidirectional LSTM (Bi-LSTM), was used to assess the performance of the predictive models, with LSTM achieving an accuracy of 90.59% and Bi-LSTM achieving 90.83%. Other performance metrics such as precision,, F1-score, and a confusion matrix were also used to validate our models and findings more effectively. This study improves understanding of the public's opinion on COVID-19 vaccines and supports the aim of eradicating coronavirus from the world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazi Nabiul Alam
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Md Shakib Khan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Abdur Rab Dhruba
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Monirujjaman Khan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Jehad F. Al-Amri
- Department of Information Technology, College of Computers and Information Technology, Taif University, P. O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mehedi Masud
- Department of Computer Science, College of Computers and Information Technology, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majdi Rawashdeh
- Department of Business Information Technology, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, P. O. Box 1438, Amman 11941, Jordan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dhama K, Sharun K, Tiwari R, Dhawan M, Emran TB, Rabaan AA, Alhumaid S. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy - reasons and solutions to achieve a successful global vaccination campaign to tackle the ongoing pandemic. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021; 17:3495-3499. [PMID: 34191680 PMCID: PMC8437517 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2021.1926183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination drive aims to achieve global vaccination coverage that will help to control the pandemic. Therefore, the individuals who are reluctant to be vaccinated or forego COVID-19 vaccination can delay the progress of overall vaccination coverage, leading to slower vaccination rates and may create obstacles in global efforts to control the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 as unvaccinated individuals can act as reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2 and could drive further outbreaks. Vaccine hesitancy is one of the major threats that directly impact global health as it challenges our ability to eradicate infectious diseases and achieve significant herd immunity through vaccination. One of the strategies to counter vaccine hesitancy is to follow a multisectoral approach that involves the collaboration between various stakeholders, such as government, private companies, religious groups, and other agencies, to leverage the knowledge, expertise, and resources, thereby enabling the creation of longstanding public trust of vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India,CONTACT Kuldeep Dhama Division of Pathology, ICAR –indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India
| | - Khan Sharun
- Division of Surgery, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Ruchi Tiwari
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura, India
| | - Manish Dhawan
- Department of Microbiology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India,The Trafford Group of Colleges, Manchester, UK
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Ali A. Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad Alhumaid
- Administration of Pharmaceutical Care, AlAhsa Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, AlAhsa, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|