Resumen

GENGIAH, Tanuja N. et al. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A survey of unvaccinated adults. Health SA Gesondheid (Online) [online]. 2024, vol.29, pp.1-8. ISSN 2071-9736.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v29i0.2468.

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.

Palabras clave : COVID-19; vaccine; hesitancy; vaccination; survey; South Africa.

        · texto en Inglés     · Inglés ( pdf )