COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, use, and associated factors among health sciences students in Eastern Ethiopia

Plain language summaryA cross-sectional study was conducted from August 10-30, 2022 to assess COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, use, and associated factors among health sciences students. Vaccine use is far less than would be necessary to control the pandemic, especially in Africa and Southeast Asian countries. Therefore, this study's results will benefit the Ethiopian Ministry of Health to measure the level of success in bringing behavioral change in the community in general, and among health science students in particular, about COVID-19 vaccine use. It is also imperative to shape insight of the academic community about the COVID-19 vaccine since health and medical science students are at high risk of acquiring a COVID-19 infection during clinical attachments. In addition, they are supposed to encourage the COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the community. Lastly, identifying the gap will give clues for the researchers to carry out the intervention to promote vaccination. BackgroundHealth science students are at high risk of acquiring COVID-19 during their clinical attachment. In addition to promoting the administration of the vaccine among patients, they are expected to be vaccinated.AimThis study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, use, and associated factors among health sciences students in Eastern Ethiopia from 10-30 August 2022.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 403 students employing a simple random sampling technique. Structured questionnaires through self-administration were used to collect data. Bi-variable and multivariable analyses were considered to identify associated factors. A statistically significant association was declared at P-value ResultsOf 403 study participants, 50.4% expressed acceptance and 31.3% received the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was significantly associated with the academic third year (AOR = 3.46, 95%CI 1.32-9.04) and history of family members vaccination (AOR = 2.29, 95%CI 1.49-3.52). In addition, actual vaccination was associated with the age of 19-23 (AOR = 3.33, 95%CI 1.10-10.08), academic second year (AOR = 2.74, 95%CI 1.06-7.08), and third year (AOR = 2.96, 95%CI 1.05-8.31), previous family members' COVID-19 infection (AOR = 2.06, 95% CI 1.12-3.78) and vaccination (AOR = 2.38, 95%CI 1.48-3.83).ConclusionHalf of the study participants intended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and only about one-third had already done so. We must keep vaccine promotion based on COVID-19 experiences and reinforce policy measures.