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Mgongo MB, Manongi RN, Mboya IB, Ngocho JS, Amour C, Mtei M, Bilakwate JS, Nyaki AY, George JM, Leyaro BJ, Farah A, Kengia JT, Tinuga F, Bakari AH, Kirakoya FB, Araya A, Kapologwe NA, Msuya SE. A Qualitative Study on Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Community Members in Tanzania. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1366. [PMID: 37631934 PMCID: PMC10458528 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11081366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of vaccines is one of the key tools in reversing the COVID-19 pandemic; however, various reports reported the low uptake of the vaccines. This study explored the barriers to the COVID-19 vaccine uptake among community members in Tanzania. A qualitative explorative study was conducted in December 2021 and April 2022 in eight regions of Tanzania. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were the methods of data collection. A total of 48 FGDs and 32 IDIs were conducted. Participants were aware of the COVID-19 disease and vaccines. The barriers to the COVID-19 vaccine non-uptake included receiving contradicting statements from top government leaders, vaccine preceded the education, myths towards vaccines, the presence of different types of vaccines, the process of getting the vaccine, the influence of social media and random people from the community, and vaccine conflicting religious beliefs. Despite being aware of the vaccine, the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine is still low. Interventions that focus on increasing community knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines and addressing myths about the vaccines are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Bernard Mgongo
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi P.O. Box 2240, Tanzania; (R.N.M.); (I.B.M.); (J.S.N.); (C.A.); (M.M.); (J.S.B.); (A.Y.N.); (J.M.G.); (B.J.L.); (S.E.M.)
| | - Rachel N. Manongi
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi P.O. Box 2240, Tanzania; (R.N.M.); (I.B.M.); (J.S.N.); (C.A.); (M.M.); (J.S.B.); (A.Y.N.); (J.M.G.); (B.J.L.); (S.E.M.)
| | - Innocent B. Mboya
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi P.O. Box 2240, Tanzania; (R.N.M.); (I.B.M.); (J.S.N.); (C.A.); (M.M.); (J.S.B.); (A.Y.N.); (J.M.G.); (B.J.L.); (S.E.M.)
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 214 28 Malmo, Sweden
| | - James S. Ngocho
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi P.O. Box 2240, Tanzania; (R.N.M.); (I.B.M.); (J.S.N.); (C.A.); (M.M.); (J.S.B.); (A.Y.N.); (J.M.G.); (B.J.L.); (S.E.M.)
| | - Caroline Amour
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi P.O. Box 2240, Tanzania; (R.N.M.); (I.B.M.); (J.S.N.); (C.A.); (M.M.); (J.S.B.); (A.Y.N.); (J.M.G.); (B.J.L.); (S.E.M.)
| | - Monica Mtei
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi P.O. Box 2240, Tanzania; (R.N.M.); (I.B.M.); (J.S.N.); (C.A.); (M.M.); (J.S.B.); (A.Y.N.); (J.M.G.); (B.J.L.); (S.E.M.)
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WCIE 7HT, UK
| | - Julieth S. Bilakwate
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi P.O. Box 2240, Tanzania; (R.N.M.); (I.B.M.); (J.S.N.); (C.A.); (M.M.); (J.S.B.); (A.Y.N.); (J.M.G.); (B.J.L.); (S.E.M.)
| | - Ahmed Yusuph Nyaki
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi P.O. Box 2240, Tanzania; (R.N.M.); (I.B.M.); (J.S.N.); (C.A.); (M.M.); (J.S.B.); (A.Y.N.); (J.M.G.); (B.J.L.); (S.E.M.)
| | - Johnston M. George
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi P.O. Box 2240, Tanzania; (R.N.M.); (I.B.M.); (J.S.N.); (C.A.); (M.M.); (J.S.B.); (A.Y.N.); (J.M.G.); (B.J.L.); (S.E.M.)
| | - Beatrice J. Leyaro
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi P.O. Box 2240, Tanzania; (R.N.M.); (I.B.M.); (J.S.N.); (C.A.); (M.M.); (J.S.B.); (A.Y.N.); (J.M.G.); (B.J.L.); (S.E.M.)
| | - Amina Farah
- Joint Malaria Program, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi P.O. Box 3010, Tanzania
| | - James T. Kengia
- President’s Office—Regional Administration and Local Government, Dodoma P.O. Box 1923, Tanzania; (J.T.K.); (N.A.K.)
| | - Florian Tinuga
- Immunization and Vaccine Development Program, Ministry of Health, Dodoma P.O. Box 743, Tanzania;
| | - Abdalla H. Bakari
- School of Natural Science, The State University of Zanzibar, Tunguu P.O. Box 146, Tanzania;
| | - Fatimata B. Kirakoya
- United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Dar es Salaam P.O. Box 4076, Tanzania; (F.B.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Awet Araya
- United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Dar es Salaam P.O. Box 4076, Tanzania; (F.B.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Ntuli A. Kapologwe
- President’s Office—Regional Administration and Local Government, Dodoma P.O. Box 1923, Tanzania; (J.T.K.); (N.A.K.)
| | - Sia E. Msuya
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi P.O. Box 2240, Tanzania; (R.N.M.); (I.B.M.); (J.S.N.); (C.A.); (M.M.); (J.S.B.); (A.Y.N.); (J.M.G.); (B.J.L.); (S.E.M.)
- Community Health Department, KCMC Hospital, Moshi P.O. Box 3010, Tanzania
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Mtei M, Mboya IB, Mgongo M, Manongi R, Amour C, Bilakwate JS, Nyaki AY, Ngocho J, Jonas N, Farah A, Amour M, Kalolo A, Kengia JT, Tinuga F, Ngalesoni F, Bakari AH, Kirakoya FB, Araya A, Kapologwe NA, Msuya SE. Confidence in COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness and safety and its effect on vaccine uptake in Tanzania: A community-based cross-sectional study. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2191576. [PMID: 37017234 PMCID: PMC10088920 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2191576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is a major public health threat associated with increased disease burden, mortality, and economic loss to countries and communities. Safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccines are key in halting and reversing the pandemic. Low confidence in vaccines has been one of the factors leading to hesitancy. We aimed to assess the COVID-19 vaccine confidence (safety and effectiveness), associated factors, and its effects on vaccine uptake among general community members in Tanzania. This was a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted from December 2021 to April 2022 in six regions of Tanzania mainland and two regions in Zanzibar. Participants were interviewed using an electronic questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression models estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for factors associated with vaccine confidence. All analyses were performed using SPSS version 25.0. The study enrolled 3470 general Tanzanian community members; their mean age was 40.3 (standard deviation ±14.9) years, and 34% were males. The proportion of COVID-19 vaccine confidence was 54.6%. Geographical region, residence area, COVID-19 disease risk perception, and good knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine confidence. Confidence in COVID-19 vaccines was associated with over three times higher odds of vaccine uptake. Confidence in COVID-19 vaccines was low in Tanzania. Innovative community engagement strategies and region-specific interventions are needed to improve comprehensive knowledge and address community perceptions and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Mtei
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
- Faculty of epidemiology and population health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Innocent B Mboya
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmo, Sweden
| | - Melina Mgongo
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Rachel Manongi
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Caroline Amour
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Julieth S Bilakwate
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Ahmed Y Nyaki
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - James Ngocho
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Norman Jonas
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Amina Farah
- Joint Malaria Program, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Maryam Amour
- Department of community health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Albino Kalolo
- Department of Public Health, St. Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - James T Kengia
- Department of health, President's Office - Regional Administration and Local Government, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Florian Tinuga
- Ministry of Health, Immunization and Vaccine Development Department, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Frida Ngalesoni
- Department of Health, African Medical and Research Foundation, Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania
| | - Abdalla H Bakari
- School of Natural Science, The State University of Zanzibar, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | | | - Awet Araya
- Department of Health, UNICEF, Tanzania Office, Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ntuli A Kapologwe
- Department of health, President's Office - Regional Administration and Local Government, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Sia E Msuya
- Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
- Community Health Department, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
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