COVID-19 Vaccine uptake and associated factors among members of Makerere University School of Public Health Community.

Abstract

Introduction; Vaccines were among the biomedical interventions instituted globally for COVID- 19 management. We sought to establish the actual COVID-19 vaccine uptake (with at least one dose) among the Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) community and understand their perceptions about the current COVID-19 vaccines. Objectives: (1) to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine uptake at MakSPH.(2) to assess the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake among members of the MakSPH Community. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using mixed data collection approaches was conducted. We interviewed 236 participants for the quantitative component and 13 key informants for qualitative data at MakSPH between June to August 2022. Data was analyzed using STATA v.15 and ATLAS. ti. version 22.1.3 software, respectively. Prevalence and socio-demographic factors were analyzed using proportions and percentages while a binary logistic regression model was used to establish the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine Uptake using a confidence interval of 95% and pvalue of less than 0.05. Results: About 80.51% (190/236) of the students and staff at MakSPH were vaccinated for COVID-19. Respondents who were Catholics COR=3.9 CI (1.24-12.26) P=0.020 had increased odds of vaccine uptake. Further, lower education COR=0.46 CI (0.19-1.14) P= 0.092 and place of residence of the respondents COR=0.30 CI (0.12-0.73) P=0.009 reduced their odds of vaccine uptake. The study also noted that individual perceptions such as limited access to the desired vaccine typesCOR= 0.59 CI (0.48-0.73) P= 0.000 or vaccination areas as the main reason to lower vaccine uptake of second and booster doses. Relatedly, high perceived safetyCOR= 8.89 CI (4.24-18.53) P= 0.000, efficacy and side effects of the vaccineCOR= 47.6 CI (11.18-203.15) P= 0.000 increased their odds of vaccine uptake. Conclusion: The proportion of COVID-19 vaccine uptake is high among the MakSPH community with varying proportions on the first, the second and, booster doses. This is driven by limited access to preferred vaccine types limited awareness of the vaccination and perceived safety, efficacy, and side effects of vaccines. The study recommends mass sensitization of the MakSPH community on the benefits of completing the vaccine and taking up the booster dose.