Comparison of vaccine hesitancy during the low and high points of Covid-19 in a population under international sanctions

A longitudinal mixed-methods study in Iran

Bibliographic Data

ID22068100
AuthorsHamid Reza Khankeh (0000-0002-9532-5646, Karolinska Institutet), Hamidreza Khankeh, Mohammad Pourebrahimi (Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences), Mohammad Javad Hosseinabadi-Farahani (0000-0002-1132-5914, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences), Mohammadjavad Hosseinabadi-Farahani, Mehrdad Farrokhi (0000-0002-1559-2323, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences), Mohammad Saeed Khanjani (0000-0002-7473-1549, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences), Javad Shojafard (0000-0001-5601-6720, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences), Arya Hamedanchi (0000-0001-5879-5561, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences), Maryam Ranjbar (0000-0003-3445-613X, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences), Mariye Jenabi Ghods (0000-0002-8492-2293, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences), Shokoufeh Ahmadi (0009-0001-6185-7628, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences), Elham Ghanaatpisheh (University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences), Mohammad Saatchi (0000-0003-2744-9927, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume10
Pages958899-958899
Publication date2023-01-05
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2022.958899
PMID36684929
OpenAlexW4313535355
LanguageEN
References cited39

Introduction Along with the challenges of COVID-19 vaccine supply in low-income countries, vaccine hesitancy was another problem for the health system. The aim of this study was to deeply understand the challenges of vaccine acceptance, the vaccination process, and to compare the affecting vaccine acceptance in the high and low points of the epidemic in Iran. Methods In the qualitative part of this mixed-methods study, content analysis was used to investigate experiences and perceptions about COVID-19 vaccination in four groups. In the quantitative study, in March 2021 (low point), and on August 1, 2021 (high point), two population-based cross-sectional studies were performed in Tehran and its rural, with sample sizes of 1,200 and 1,872 people aged over 18 years, respectively. Multinomial (polytomous) logistic regression was used to determine the factors affecting hesitation and unwillingness to receive the vaccine. Results Disbelief in vaccine safety, vaccine distrust, ignorance and confusion, and inadequate facilities were the common reasons extracted in the two qualitative studies. At the low and high points of the epidemic, vaccine acceptance was 83.6% (95% CI: 81.3–85.9) and 65.8% (95% CI: 65.8–71.0), respectively. Residence in rural areas, (Odds Ratio: 0.44, p = 0.001), being a student (Odds Ratio: 0.41, p = 0.011), housewives (Odds Ratio: 0.63, p = 0.033), illiteracy (Odds Ratio: 4.44, p = 0.001), and having an underlying disease (Odds Ratio: 4.44, p = 0.001) were factors affecting on vaccine acceptance. Discussion Counter-intuitively, acceptance did not increase at the peak of epidemic. The presence of obstacles, such as increased distrust in the effectiveness of vaccines due to the occurrence of multiple peaks in different vaccinated countries, as well as the influence of the media, anti-vaccine campaigns, and lack of proper communication about risks caused more hesitation. More investigation to understand how people accept or reject vaccine and its long term consequences is recommended

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Environmental health · Outbreak · Pandemic · Political science · Population · Sanctions · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Medicine · SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research · Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy · Virology

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