COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance among Healthcare Staff in Sudan, 2021

Abstract

Elderly and patients with comorbid conditions have higher risk of infection and complications. Vaccination hesitancy is defined as the refusal of vaccine or the delay in accepting it despite the availability of vaccines and vaccination services. This study was aimed at assessing knowledge, perception, and acceptability of healthcare staff towards different types of COVID-19 vaccination. A multicenter hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was implemented to study the knowledge, perception, and acceptability of healthcare staff towards COVID-19 vaccination. Multistage sampling technique was applied. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire filled by the participants. 400 participants were studied. 61% of the participants were females, and the most frequent age reported was between 18 and 35 years (67%). A statistically significant association (p=0.048) was found between knowledge about vaccination and professions. The most common vaccine type known and accepted was AstraZeneca vaccine. On assessing acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination, acceptance rate was high (63.8%) and 22.7% of the participants had already got vaccinated. The rejection rate among our staff was 27.4%. This study was conducted in April, 2021. Majority of our healthcare staff believed that vaccination is the key to combat the pandemic. One of the issues and concerns about vaccination was the safety and the risk of developing acute adverse events (p=0.001). Encouraging factor for vaccination was the fear of getting infection themselves and their families. The present study revealed the presence of good knowledge and acceptability among medical staff towards COVID-19 vaccinations in Sudan.