COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors among adult clients at public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia using the health belief model: multicentre cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: Immunization is still one of the best ways to reduce viral-related morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors among adult clients at public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia. METHOD: A multicentred facility-based cross-sectional study design was utilised. The systematic random sampling technique was used to select 420 study participants. The characteristics of individuals were described using descriptive statistical analysis such as frequency, median and IQR. Mean was used for health belief model components. The association was assessed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression and described by the OR along with a 95% CI. Finally, a p-value<0.05 in the adjusted analysis was used to declare a significant association. OUTCOME MEASURE: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors. RESULT: A total of 412 adult clients were interviewed, with a response rate of 98.1%. Of the total study participants, 225 (54.6%; 95% CI: 50.0% to [Formula: see text] 59.7%) were willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. Age≥46 (adjusted OR, AOR=3.64, 95% CI: 1.35 [Formula: see text] to 9.86), college and above level of education (AOR=2.50, 95% CI: 1.30 [Formula: see text] to 4.81), having health insurance (AOR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.11 [Formula: see text] to 2.87) and experiencing chronic disease (AOR=1.96, 95% CI: 1.02 [Formula: see text] to 3.77) were predictor variables. Also, components of the health belief model were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among the adult population was low compared to other study. Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were age, college and above level of education, having a chronic disease, having health insurance, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefit and perceived barrier. Improving awareness about COVID-19 among all sections of the population is crucial to improving vaccine acceptability.