Willingness to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials; a survey among a population of healthcare workers in Uganda

Abstract

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 and may therefore be a suitable population for COVID-19 vaccine trials. We conducted a survey to evaluate willingness-to-participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials in a population of HCWs at three hospitals in Uganda. Methods The survey was conducted between September and November 2020. Using a standardised questionnaire, data were collected on socio-demographics, previous participation in health research, COVID-19 information sources, underlying health conditions, and willingness-to-participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials. Data were analysed descriptively and a binomial generalised linear model with a log link function used to investigate factors associated with unwillingness to participate. Results 657 HCWs (female, 63%) were enrolled with a mean age of 33 years (Standard Deviation, 10). Overall willingness-to-participate was 70.2%. Key motivating factors for participation were: hope of being protected against COVID-19 (81.1%), altruism (73.3%), and the opportunity to get health care (26.0%). Selected hypothetical trial attributes reduced willingness-to-participate as follows: weekly-quarterly study visits over a 12-month period (70.2%-63.2%, P = 0.026); provision of approximately 50ml of blood at each study visit (70.2%-63.2%, P = 0.026); risk of mild-moderate local adverse reactions (70.2%-60.3%, P<0.001); chance of receiving candidate vaccine or placebo (70.2%-56.9%, P<0.001); and delay of pregnancy [Overall, 70.2%-57.1% P<0.001); Female, 62.8%-48.4% (P = 0.002); Male, 82.5%-71.5% (P = 0.003)]. Collectively, these attributes reduced willingness-to-participate from [70.2%-42.2% (P<0.001) overall; 82.5%-58.1% (P<0.001) in men; 62.8%-32.6% (P<0.001) in women]. Among individuals that were unwilling to participate, the commonest barriers were concerns over vaccine safety (54.6%) and fear of catching SARS-CoV-2 (31.6%). Unwillingness to participate was associated with being female (aRR 1.97, CI 1.46–2.67, P<0.001) and having university or other higher-level education (aRR 1.52, CI 1.05–2.2, P = 0.026). Conclusions Willingness-to-participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials among HCWs in Uganda is high but may be affected by vaccine trial requirements and concerns about the safety of candidate vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccine uptake among health care workers in Ghana: a case for targeted vaccine deployment campaigns in the global south

“…As demonstrated in this study, willingness to participate in a COVID-19 vaccine trial was 48% compared to 70% in a similar study by Kitonsa et al [ 41 ] among HCWs in Uganda. Likelihood of accepting the COVID-19 vaccine was however high (70%) suggesting low vaccine hesitancy among HCWs in Ghana.…”

“…Nonetheless, this observation suggests Ghana, compared to Nigeria [ 42 ] and DRC [ 43 ], is doing better. A similar study in Uganda [ 41 ] revealed a vaccine acceptance rate of over 70%. The current findings on the acceptance rate demonstrates some level of confidence on the COVID-19 vaccine among HCWs in Ghana which needs to be sustained through continuous targeted public health education and sensitization seminars for HCWs.…”

Community health workers willingness to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials and intention to vaccinate: A cross-sectional survey in India

“…This was similar to other studies. 26 , 31 , 32 Misinformation regarding the vaccine's effect on reproduction and fertility might explain women's skepticism regarding acceptance of the vaccine. 33 Further studies explaining gender disparity related to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance is warranted.…”

“…This was in contrast to other studies. 32 , 34 Those who trusted domestic vaccines, and had a graduate degree were less likely to participate in vaccine trials. Decreased willingness to participate in vaccine research with higher educational qualification has been reported previously.…”

“…Decreased willingness to participate in vaccine research with higher educational qualification has been reported previously. 32 Knowledge regarding development of COVID-19 vaccine increased likelihood of participating in vaccine trial. It can be hypothesized that those who knew about the development of vaccine would also be aware of its benefits to the society.…”