COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among health workers in Kampala City Council Authority health facilities, Uganda

Abstract

Globally, health care workers (HCWs) are among the most at risk of contracting COVID-19 and as a result, they were prioritized to receive the vaccine. However, a number of studies reported slow uptake of this vaccine among health care workers. This study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine uptake and factors associated among health care workers in Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) health facilities so as to inform policy for COVID-19 vaccine uptake among health care workers in Uganda. To assess COVID-19 vaccine uptake and factors associated among HCWs at KCCA health facilities. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 153 health workers across six KCCA health facilities using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Data analysis was done using STATA version 14 and Atlas ti 8. Modified Poisson regression analysis was done to determine factors associated with full vaccination uptake. One hundred fifty-three health workers participated in this study. Majority of them were females [58.2%, (n=89/153)]. Almost half of the participants [48.4%, (n=74/153)] were aged 30 years or older. Their median duration of medical practice was five years [IQR= (2,7)]. The COVID-19 vaccine uptake among HCWs was 76%. Factors associated with increased prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination among the health workers included having a chronic condition [APR; 1.22(1.01-1.44), p-value=0.040], Perception that COVID-19 vaccine was effective [APR; 1.62(1.03-2.56), p-value=0.038]. Understanding that the vaccine was free of charge [APR; 1.70(1.04-2.78) p-value=0.034], Full vaccination as a mandatory requirement by employers at the work place [APR; 1.27(1.03-1.58) p-value=0.022], and being committed to completing full vaccination was associated with a significant 61% increase in the prevalence of full COVID-19 vaccination among health workers [APR; 1.61(1.17-2.22) p-value=0.011]. Those who had ever suffered from COVID-19 were associated with a significant reduction in the uptake of full vaccination [APR=0.74(0.58-0.95) p-value=0.019]. Perceived barriers to vaccination uptake included uncertainty about safety, efficacy, and the vaccines being novel, vaccine misinformation on online platforms, and lack of trust in the vaccine. The study found a 76% uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among health workers which was high. Vaccination uptake was mainly associated with having a chronic condition, perception that the COVID-19 vaccine was effective, perception that the vaccine was free, and requirement by employers at the workplace. The barriers of vaccination uptake established by this study were concerns of safety, efficacy and vaccine side effects, internet misinformation leading to lack of trust in the vaccines. The health authorities should adopt open and transparent communication strategies to ensure that health workers trust the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. Furthermore, monitoring systems such as surveillance systems should be strengthened to report adverse events and take appropriate actions.