Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in children among adults attending selected health facilities in Kinondoni municipality; Dar es salaam, Tanzania: a cross sectional study
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Date
2024-03-13
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Canadian Center of Science and Education
Abstract
Background: Safe and effective vaccines are crucial for controlling and containing COVID-19 pandemic.
However, poor acceptance and hesitance to vaccinate limit effective utilization. In Tanzania, COVID-19 vaccines
have been in use with adequate coverage in adults from 18-years old, however, the acceptability of their use in
children is not well understood. This study was aimed at determining the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination
in children among adults in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.
Methods: A cross section study was conducted among adults attending outpatient clinic in Dar es salaam and were
having children below 18-years at home. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect their demographic
information and their opinions regarding COVID-19 vaccine use in their children. Data was analyzed using
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 23). Level of acceptance and other categorical variables
were calculated in frequency and percentages while factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination in children
were determined using binary logistic regression analysis. A type II error of less or equal to 0.05 was considered
statistically significant.
Results: A total of 320 participants were recruited in the study. Among these, 289 (90.3%) were females. Out of
all participants, 124 (38.57%) were willing for their children to receive COVID-19 vaccines upon availability and
recommendation by respective authorities. Confidence in the safety of COVID-19 vaccines (Adjusted Odd Ratio=
0.03; 95% CI: 0.01-0.13; p=0.02, and perceived importance of COVID-19 vaccine use in children (AOR=0.29;
95% CI: 0.1-0.84; p=0.02) were independent factors associated with acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in
children.
Conclusion: The level of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination for children in this study was low (38.57%), with
uncertainty around vaccine safety being the major concern. Therefore, to increase COVID-19 vaccines acceptance
and uptake in children, effective public communication supported by data on safety and effectiveness of COVID19 vaccines should be emphasized.
Keywords: Acceptance, COVID-19, children, Dar es Salaam, vaccines
Description
Keywords
Acceptance, COVID-19, Children
Citation
Nashon Mugobera, Leonard Malasa, Dharia Amour, Maulid Fataki, Felician Rutachunzibwa & Florence Salvatory Kalabamu. 2024. Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination in children among adults attending selected health facilities in Kinondoni municipality; Dar es salaam, Tanzania: a cross sectional Study. Canadian Center of Science and Education. Vol. 16, No. 4; 2024.