ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research (May 2022)

Health-care Workers’ Willingness to Pay for COVID-19 Vaccines in Eastern Ethiopia: Using Contingent Valuation Method

  • Merga BT,
  • Ayana GM,
  • Negash B,
  • Alemu A,
  • Abdurke M,
  • Abdu A,
  • Balis B,
  • Bekana M,
  • Fekadu G,
  • Raru TB

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 14
pp. 395 – 404

Abstract

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Bedasa Taye Merga,1 Galana Mamo Ayana,1 Belay Negash,1 Addisu Alemu,1 Mohammed Abdurke,2 Ahmedmenewer Abdu,3 Bikila Balis,2 Miressa Bekana,4 Gelana Fekadu,2 Temam Beshir Raru1 1School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 2School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 3Department of Laboratory Science, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 4School of Medicine, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Galana Mamo Ayana, School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O.Box: 235, Harar, Ethiopia, Email [email protected] Bedasa Taye Merga, School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O.Box: 235, Harar, Ethiopia, Email [email protected]: Health-care workers (HCWs) are among the highest risk groups for COVID-19 infection. The vaccine is found to be vital for HCWs, their household contacts, and their patients to protect against COVID-19 infection and maintain the safety of health systems. The actual willingness to pay for COVID-19 vaccination and associated factors remain uncertain among health-care workers in Ethiopia. Therefore, studying health-care workers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for COVID-19 vaccination helps to have an insight on valuation of the vaccine.Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 randomly selected health-care workers working in health facilities in eastern Ethiopia from February 3 to March 20, 2021. Pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression analysis was fitted to test the associations between outcome and explanatory variables. A p-value of 7000 ETB, AOR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.51), affordability (AOR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.18, 3.35), fear of side effects (AOR = 3.75; 95% CI: 2.13, 6.60), support vaccinations (AOR = 2.97; 95% CI: 1.65, 5.35), the likelihood of getting COVID-19 infection (AOR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.26, 3.52) were independent determinants of WTP for a COVID-19 vaccine.Conclusion: Health-care workers’ willingness to pay for COVID-19 vaccination was found to be low. Detailed health education and training about COVID-19 vaccines are required regarding their side effects, and efficacy to make an informed decision to enhance the willingness to pay for the vaccine. Moreover, the government should consider providing COVID vaccines free of charge for low-income groups and at an affordable price for those who could pay.Keywords: COVID-19, vaccine, health workers, willingness to pay, Ethiopia

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