Acceptability of covid-19 vaccine and its associated factors among the elderly aged 65 and above in Machinga district
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Date
2022-02-02
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Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
This is a cross-sectional study aimed at exploring the acceptability of COVID 19
vaccine and its associated factors among elderly aged 65 years above in Machinga and it will
employ qualitative methods. For its thematic analysis, the study will use a Health Belief Model
to analyze the factors that influence the acceptance of COVID 19 vaccine among elderly and
which beliefs should be targeted in communication campaigns to cause positive health behaviors.
Problem: COVID 19 remain a crucial global pandemic and leading cause of high morbidity and
mortality rate among higher risk population. With the development of multiple effective vaccines,
reducing the global morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 will depend on the distribution and
acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination, while studies generally indicate a low uptake of COVID 19
vaccine among various population, Vaccine hesitancy and refusal are global concerns. According to
World Health Organization (WHO) it has been identified as one of the top 10 threats to global health in
2019. Available data for Machinga District by July 2021 it shows that only 3637 received COVID 19
vaccine and only 408 elderly 65 years and above received the vaccine, since the roll out however the
vaccine acceptance among elderly is still low. The correct and comprehensive beliefs of the target
groups regarding the benefits and barriers of the vaccination must be raised. Various effective social
strategies must be adopted to trigger the intention of COVID-19 vaccination.
Objectives. – The main objective is to explore the acceptability of Covid 19 vaccine among elderly
(aged 65 years above) in Machinga district. Specifically, the study seeks to assess the perceptions,
attitude towards Covid 19 vaccine, to assess contextual factors that facilitate and impede the
acceptance of Covid 19 vaccine, to assess the health system factors that influence the acceptance
of Covid 19 vaccine. Methodology. - A qualitative study design will be used to explore the acceptability of COVID19
vaccine and its associated factors among the elderly people of 65 years above in Machinga District.
Study population will include the elderly 65 years and above, residing in both urban and rural
communities, both male and female. The sample size will be 36 and the study participants will be
purposively selected. The study will collect data in participants own setting using in depth
interviews (IDIs) and Key informant Interviews (KII). Collected data will be stored securely in
computer data base that have a pass word and only limited access to key study team will be
provided. Data analysis will be done using deductive and inductive thematic content analysis. Informed consent will be obtained from each and every study participant before enrollment in the
study. Confidentially will be ensured throughout the study and thereafter. Ethical approval will be
sought from the College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee (COMREC).
Expected findings. –The study anticipates to identify the factors that act as barriers as well as
factors that act as facilitators to the uptake of COVID -19 vaccine among the elderly at individual,
social as well as health system levels.
Dissemination of Expected findings: Research results will be disseminated in writing and
presentations as feedback made to the District Health Management Team (DHMT) for Machinga
and to COMREC. Recommendations will be made to various level of decision makers, DHOs
office and key implementing partner on improvements that need to be made to optimize uptake of
COVID 19 vaccine.
Description
This is a cross-sectional study aimed at exploring the acceptability of COVID 19
vaccine and its associated factors among elderly aged 65 years above in Machinga and it will
employ qualitative methods. For its thematic analysis, the study will use a Health Belief Model
to analyze the factors that influence the acceptance of COVID 19 vaccine among elderly and
which beliefs should be targeted in communication campaigns to cause positive health behaviors.