COVID‑19 Vaccination and Predictors of Vaccine Hesitancy: A Community- Based Research in Zagazig City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor Community Health Nursing department, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University

2 Lecturer Community Health Nursing department, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University

Abstract

Background: Vaccines are vital in containing the COVID-19 epidemic and may be an essential
tool in re-establishing "normalcy". The aim of the research was to investigate COVID‑19
vaccination and predictors of vaccine hesitancy in Zagazig City. Research design: A descriptive,
cross-sectional design was used. Setting: The research was carried out in Zagazig City and
Shaybah Village, Egypt. Subjects: A multistage systematic random sample involving 997
participants. Tools: Three questionnaires were used for data collection. I. The interview
questionnaire consists of three tools: socio-demographic data, individual factors, and knowledge
about the COVID-19 vaccine. II. Attitude assessment toward vaccine, and III. Application of the
Health Belief Model regarding COVID‑19 vaccination. Results:
Only 10% of studied subjects
had taken the vaccine, and 24.2% of them had the intention to
take the vaccine. In addition,
75.8% of them have vaccine hesitancy. Moreover, 54.0% of the
studied subjects had adequate
knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine. The highest percentage
of the studied subjects did not
know the difference between types of vaccine (40.9%). In addition, 60% of subjects have
positive attitudes about the COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, 40.3% of subjects have a neutral
health belief model regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: The study presented that
more than three-quarters of study participants had vaccine hesitancy. In general, more than half
of the subjects examined have enough knowledge. Moreover, three-fifths of them have a positive
attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, two-fifths of the studied subjects had a
neutral health belief model about the COVID-19 vaccine. Recommendation: Health awareness
about the importance of vaccines to protect from severe infection and deadly complications of
COVID- 19 virus

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