International Journal of Public Health (Nov 2023)

COVID-19 Vaccination Among Diverse Population Groups in the Northern Governorates of Iraq

  • Mohammed Ibrahim Mohialdeen Gubari,
  • Falah Wadi,
  • Khalid Anwar Hama-Ghareeb,
  • Fatah H. Fatah,
  • Mostafa Hosseini,
  • Karzan Rafiq Wale,
  • David Hipgrave,
  • Sazan Raouf Ali,
  • Shaho Osman Mahmood,
  • Waleed Ezzat Khadium,
  • Hayman Hasan Mohammed,
  • Sara Feal Jaafer,
  • Najeeb Mohammed Al Saadi,
  • Kardar Anwar Mohammed,
  • Shireen Salih Saeed,
  • Mohammad Yousif Mohammad,
  • Waleed Hamid Khudhur,
  • Mohammed Wael Saleh,
  • Yousra Saadi Sheat,
  • Khaldoon Khaleel Ibrahim,
  • Marwa Nabeil Salah,
  • Abdulmonem Hazim Abdullah,
  • Dashne Shamall Omer,
  • Rafeeq Naseraldeen Ghafur,
  • Kashma Ali Mustafa,
  • Aryan Othman Faraj,
  • Trifa Bhjat Ali,
  • Kamal Aziz Enayat,
  • Ronak Assi Wahab,
  • Ibrahim Ahmed Ali Al-Jaf,
  • Nazanin Hama Hama Amin,
  • Dina Dlshad Jaff,
  • Aram Mohammed Bra,
  • Shwan Kanabi Ahmed,
  • Banaz Nabi Rasool,
  • Fatimah Khalis Jamal,
  • Tango Dhahir Mohammed,
  • Maryam Arab Azeez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2023.1605736
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 68

Abstract

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Objectives: The present study was carried out to investigate COVID-19 vaccination coverage among populations of internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and host communities in northern Iraq and the related underlying factors.Methods: Through a cross-sectional study conducted in five governorates in April–May 2022, 4,564 individuals were surveyed. Data were collected through an adapted questionnaire designed to gather data on participants.Results: 4,564 subjects were included (59.55% were 19–45 years old; 54.51% male). 50.48% of the participants (51.49% of host communities, 48.83% of IDPs, and 45.87% of refugees) had been vaccinated with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. 40.84% of participants (42.28% of host communities, 35.75% of IDPs, and 36.14% of refugees) had been vaccinated by two doses, and 1.56% (1.65% of host communities, 0.93% of IDPs, and 1.46% of refugees) were vaccinated with three doses.Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors including age, gender, education, occupation, and nationality could affect vaccination coverage. Moreover, higher acceptance rate of vaccination is associated with belief in vaccine safety and effectiveness and trust in the ability of the vaccine to prevent complications.

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