Knowledge and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine among India's general rural population

INTRODUCTION: Even after the enforcement of the lockdown, the government was unable to control the spread of the COVID-19 infection. Vaccination is the only remaining hope for preventing and controlling COVID-19 infections. The knowledge and attitude of the recipients can influence vaccine acceptance. In this study, we aim to assess the knowledge and attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine among the general rural population of India. METHODOLOGY: A community-based, prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2021 to October 2021 in the rural part of the Mandya district of Karnataka, India. Individuals over the age of 18 who met the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's vaccination eligibility criteria were included in the study. Demographic details of participants and assessment of knowledge and attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine were done in a designed and validated data collection form. RESULTS: The study included 596 participants, with females dominating males by 54.9 % (327). The average age of the participants was 31 years. Among them, 81.71% (487) had adequate knowledge, and 81.5% (486) had a positive attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine. Females (85.3%, 279) tend to have a more positive attitude than males (77%, 207). Positive attitude participants (86.86 %, 423) have a higher level of knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine than negative attitude participants (57.79 %, 63). CONCLUSION: In the study, we found that 81.71% had adequate knowledge and 81.5% had a positive attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine.