PREDICTING THE INTENTIONS TO RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINE USING THE HEALTH BELIEF MODEL: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AMONG RESIDENTS OF AN URBAN AREA IN KHARTOUM, SUDAN 2021

INTRO: To combat the newly emerging pandemic (Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)) different preventive measures are advised. World Health Organization recommended vaccination as an important intervention for ending this pandemic. This study aims to understand the willingness and acceptability to take the vaccine using the health belief model. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the period January to February 2021 in an urban area of Khartoum, Sudan. The study reached 580 adult individuals. Chi-squire test was used to test associations, univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression was used to identify the predictors. FINDINGS: The Majority of the participants mentioned that they had never been infected by COVID-19 before. (57.4%) believed that they are at risk of infection and most of them did not agree that they are more susceptible to the infection than other people. (83.1%) disagreed that covid-19 complications will be severe for people of their age. (92.6%) of them have heard about the vaccine. (36.9%) of the participants doubted the vaccine effectiveness and (203, 35.0%) believed that it is not safe for them to be vaccinated. (62.9%) of the participants mentioned, they are willing to take the vaccine. Age, perceived susceptibility, being less concerned about getting the disease, perceived vaccine effectiveness and safety, using the vaccine by other people, and doctor advice were significantly predicting the willingness to take the vaccine. CONCLUSION: Though most of the participants were willing to take COVID-19 vaccine, many factors were associated and predicted this willingness. These factors should be considered when setting policies and activities to enhance the uptake of the vaccine.