COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Survey.
(2021) Vaccines — Vol. 9, n° 2, p. 153 [1-11] (2021)
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- Authors
Nkamba Mukadi, Dalau 
Mutwadi, Armand Mavoko, Hypolite M Colebunders, Robert
- Abstract
- We investigated the level of willingness for COVID-19 vaccination in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Data were collected between 24 August 2020 and 8 September 2020 through an online survey. A total of 4131 responses were included; mean age of respondents was 35 years (standard deviation: 11.5); 68.4% were females; 71% had elementary or secondary school education. One fourth (24.1%) were convinced that COVID-19 did not exist. Overall, 2310 (55.9%) indicated they were willing to be vaccinated. In a multivariable regression model, belonging to the middle and high-income category (OR = 1.85, CI: 1.46-2.35 and OR = 2.91, CI: 2.15-3.93, respectively), being tested for COVID-19 (OR = 4.71, CI: 3.62-6.12; < 0.001), COVID-19 community vaccine acceptance (OR = 14.45, CI: 2.91-71.65; = 0.001) and acknowledging the existence of COVID-19 (OR = 6.04, CI: 4.42-8.23; < 0.001) were associated with an increased willingness to be vaccinated. Being a healthcare worker was associated with a decreased willingness for vaccination (OR = 0.46, CI: 0.36-0.58; < 0.001). In conclusion, the current willingness for COVID-19 vaccination among citizens of the DRC is too low to dramatically decrease community transmission. Of great concern is the low intention of immunization among healthcare workers. A large sensitization campaign will be needed to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.
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Citations
Ditekemena, J. D., Nkamba Mukadi, D., Mutwadi, A., Mavoko, H. M., Siewe Fodjo, J. N., Luhata, C., Obimpeh, M., Van Hees, S., Nachega, J. B., & Colebunders, R. (2021). COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Vaccines, 9(2), 153 [1-11]. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020153 (Original work published 2021)