COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and its determinants in the Bono Region of Ghana.

OBJECTIVE

The study assessed willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine among out-patient department (OPD) attendants in the Bono Region in Ghana.

DESIGN

This was an analytical cross-sectional study.

SETTING

The study was conducted at the Wenchi Methodist Hospital (WMH) OPD, Bono Region, Ghana. The region had not yet been earmarked for vaccination at the time of the study.

PARTICIPANTS

Three hundred and twenty-five (325) participants aged ≥18 years, accessing care at the OPD of WMH and willing to give informed consent, were interviewed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The proportion of participants willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine and its determinants.

RESULTS

Of 325 participants interviewed, 32 (9.8%) had been vaccinated already. 82.6% (242/293) indicated COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among the unvaccinated The major reason for vaccine acceptance was "it could protect against COVID-19" (96.7%, 234/242). "Fear of vaccine side effects and "perception of not being susceptible to COVID-19" were among the reasons for vaccine refusal. Perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 (AOR 4.09, 95% CI 1.79, 9.34), knowledge of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine (AOR 3.62, 95% CI 1.14, 11.46) and willingness to pay for the vaccine (AOR 5.20, 95% CI 2.49, 10.43) were associated with vaccine acceptance.

CONCLUSIONS

Adequate knowledge of COVID-19 and the vaccine may drive vaccine acceptance in the study area and possibly other areas in Ghana. Campaign messages aimed at increasing COVID-19 vaccine coverage must emphasise its safety, likely side effects and management in order to help rid the population of misconceptions.

FUNDING

None indicated.