Covid-19 vaccine compliance among residents of Kathmandu Valley

Background

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a public health threat. Equitable access to safe and effective vaccines is critical to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Promoting the uptake of vaccines (particularly those against COVID-19) require the understanding whether people are willing to be vaccinated, and the reasons behind their decision.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine compliance and factors associated with it among residents of Kathmandu valley.

Methods

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among residents of Kathmandu valley through a pretested web-based self-administered questionnaire. A total of 390 respondents were selected to carry out this study. The collected data were entered into MS-excel and analyzed using SPSS IBM v. 25. Multivariable analysis was performed.

Results

Vaccine compliance was found in 94.1% of 390 respondents. Among the respondents, 91.5% had low risk perception of COVID-19; 85.4% had complete prior vaccination history; 61.3% perceived COVID-19 vaccine as effective; 65.6% perceived COVID-19 vaccine as necessary whereas only 24.6% believed the COVID-19 vaccine to be safe.

Regarding COVID-19 vaccine compliance, females demonstrated a 3-fold higher likelihood than males (AOR= 3.0, 95%CI: 1.01-9.21). Complete vaccination history which had 31.9 times higher odds than no vaccination history (AOR=31.96, 95%CI: 9.72-105.14), perceived vaccine effectiveness which had 7.7 times higher odds than perceived ineffective (AOR= 7.75, 95%CI: 2.37-25.38), and high social influence which had 7.7 times higher odds compared to low social influence (AOR= 7.72, 95%CI: 2.19-27.12) were the associated factors with increased compliance.

Conclusion

This study revealed significantly high vaccine compliance rate in Kathmandu valley. Sex, complete vaccination history, perceived vaccine effectiveness and high social influence were the determinants for vaccine compliance which indicated the importance of ensuring people trust the vaccine's safety, utilizing social influence to encourage vaccination, and tailoring strategies to suit different demographics.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine, Prior vaccination history, Risk perception, Vaccine compliance