Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health (Sep 2022)

Community health workers willingness to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials and intention to vaccinate: A cross-sectional survey in India

  • Kapil Goel,
  • Arunima Sen,
  • Parul Goel,
  • Prakasini Satapathy,
  • Lovely Jain,
  • Jatina Vij,
  • Binod Kumar Patro,
  • Sitanshu Sekhar Kar,
  • Venkatesan Chakrapani,
  • Ritesh Singh,
  • Star Pala,
  • Lalit Sankhe,
  • Bhavesh Modi,
  • Surya Bali,
  • Neeti Rustagi,
  • Anuradha Nadda,
  • Vineeth Rajagopal,
  • Tanvi Kiran,
  • Arun Kumar Aggarwal,
  • Madhu Gupta,
  • Bijaya Kumar Padhi

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17
p. 101113

Abstract

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Background: Vaccine hesitancy is of considerable concern as it threatens the great potential of a vaccine against COVID-19. This study aims to determine factors associated with community health workers’ willingness to participate in clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine, and their vaccination intention, in India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 377 community health workers using self-administered anonymous questionnaire during the lockdown periods in India. Participant's socio-demographics, willingness-to-participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials, intention to accept COVID-19 vaccine were recorded in a Likert scale. Data were analysed descriptively, and a multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate factors associated with willingness to participate and accept the vaccine. Results: Among 377 CHWs, 70 (19%) intended to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trial, 151 (40%) responded positively regarding their intention to get vaccinated. Those with knowledge on development of COVID-19 vaccine [aOR 3.05 (95% CI: 1.18–7.88), p = 0.021], and men [aOR 3.69 (95% CI: 1.51–8.97), p = 0.004] were more willing to participate in clinical-trial, while an undergraduate degree, and trust in domestic vaccines were identified as deterrents for the same. Perceiving COVID-19 as risk [aOR 2.31 (95% CI: 1.24–4.31), p = 0.009], and male gender [aOR 2.39 (95% CI: 1.17–4.88), p = 0.017] were factors associated with intention to get vaccinated. Respondents who had knowledge about COVID-19 virus were less likely to uptake the hypothetical vaccine [aOR 0.32 (95% CI: 0.12–0.88), p = 0.027]. Conclusions: Increasing knowledge regarding COVID-19 is not enough to improve vaccine acceptance rates. Targeted interventions addressing socio-demographic determinants related to COVID-19 vaccination should help improve acceptance.

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