DOI: 10.11648/j.sjph.20251303.11 ISSN: 2328-7950

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Associated Factors in Gilgel Beles Town, Metekel Zone, Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Northwest Ethiopia

Dereje Gashaye, Tamiru Jemberu, Solomon Bekeko, Biratu Sedeta
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<i>Background:</i> The coronavirus killed millions of people globally and was deemed a public health emergency on March 11, 2020. Many nations have put strict regulations in place. Mass vaccinations to protect the public from COVID-19 have been in place since December 2020. To stop viruses from spreading, community immunizations against COVID-19 are crucial. However, there is currently no information available on Gilgel Beles town's community's adoption of the COVID-19 vaccination. <i>Objective:</i> The objective of this study is to assess the level of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination and its associated factors among communities in Gilgel Beles town, Metekel zone, North West Ethiopia. <i>Methodology:</i> Community-based cross-sectional study was employed between April 20/2022, and May 20/ 2022, in Gilgel Beles town. A systematic random sampling technique was used to choose 418 households in the town. After obtaining the ethical clearance sheet, Data was gathered through face-to-face interviews at their home. Before being moved to SPSS version 22 for analysis, the data were coded, cleaned, recorded, and entered into Epidata 4. The relationship between independent and dependent variables was investigated using bivariate logistic regression analysis. A variable in the multiple logistic regression models with a p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. <i>Results:</i> Of 415 respondents, above half of them, 255 (61.4%), were accepted to take the COVID-19 vaccine if available. Age (P-value=0.000), History of vaccine adverse effects (AOR=.3.63, 95%, CI: 1.38, 9.55), Cigarette smoking practice (AOR=3.47, 95% CI: 1.45, 8.27), Friends have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (P-value=0.000) and type of media (P=0.016) were significantly associated with acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine. <i>Conclusion:</i> The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance was not high enough. The engagement of religious organizations and religious leaders to promote the advantages of COVID-19 vaccination to their followers and promotion through community radio should be implemented to increase COVID-19 vaccination acceptance.

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