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. 2024 Dec 31;20(1):2396213.
doi: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2396213. Epub 2024 Sep 2.

COVID-19 vaccine confidence and its effect on vaccine uptake among people with hypertension or diabetes mellitus in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania

Monica Mtei  1   2 , Daimon Mwasamila B  1   3 , Caroline Amour  1 , Julieth S Bilakwate  4 , Laura J Shirima  1 , Amina Farah  5 , Innocent B Mboya  1   6 , James Ngocho  1 , Johnston M George  1   4 , Sia E Msuya  1   4   7
Affiliations

COVID-19 vaccine confidence and its effect on vaccine uptake among people with hypertension or diabetes mellitus in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania

Monica Mtei et al. Hum Vaccin Immunother. .

Abstract

COVID-19 vaccination effectively reduces disease severity, hospitalization, and mortality, particularly among individuals with chronic conditions who bear a disproportionate burden of disease complications. Vaccine confidence - belief in its safety, effectiveness, and importance - boosts uptake. However, limited data on vaccine confidence in this population hinders the development of targeted interventions. This study examined COVID-19 vaccine confidence and its impact on uptake among individuals with hypertension or diabetes mellitus in the Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2023 among 646 randomly selected adults aged ≥18 years with hypertension or diabetes mellitus in three districts of Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania. An interviewer-administered electronic questionnaire assessed confidence and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in addition to related knowledge and demographic characteristics. Data analysis was done for 646 individuals who consented to participate. Multivariable logistic regression models determined the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine confidence and its effect on vaccine uptake. The proportion of COVID-19 vaccine confidence among all 646 participants was 70% and was highest for perceived vaccine importance (80%), followed by perceived vaccine effectiveness (77%) and perceived vaccine safety (74%). Good knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines and living in the Mwanga municipal council (MC), a semi-urban district, was independently associated with confidence in the vaccines' importance, safety, effectiveness, and overall COVID-19 vaccine confidence. Confidence in COVID-19 vaccines increased the odds of vaccine uptake. Targeted interventions to boost vaccine confidence are therefore essential to enhance vaccine uptake in this high-risk population.

Keywords: COVID-19; Tanzania; vaccination; vaccine acceptance; vaccine confidence; vaccine hesitancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
COVID-19 vaccine confidence among individuals with hypertension or diabetes mellitus in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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