COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance and Its Associated Factors in Sodo Town, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has still affected many countries around the world. The COVID-19 vaccine has been presented as the perfect solution for solving the current pandemic. Understanding the willingness of the community to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will help in the development and implementation of effective COVID-19 vaccination promotion programs. The aim of this study was to assess the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and its associated factors in Sodo town, Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 415 participants in Wolaita Sodo, from April 1 to 30, 2021. To collect data, structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used. A p-value ≤0.05 in a multivariable logistic regression model was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of 415 participants, 189 (45.5%) of them accepted of COVID-19 vaccines if available. Sex (AOR=2.15, 95% CI: 1.29, 3.56), educational status (AOR=3.09, 95% CI: 1.50, 6.37), mass media (AOR=1.97, 95% CI: 1.06, 3.63), received any vaccination during childhood (AOR=5.16, 95% CI: 2.44, 10.92), family members have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (AOR=4.40, 95% CI: 2.1, 9.25), friends have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (AOR=3.91, 95% CI: 1.52, 10.04), and respondents have tested for COVID-19 (AOR=4.40, 95% CI: 1.70, 11.36) were significantly associated with acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance was law. To enhance the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine, the government with different stakeholders should strengthen public education using mass media about the advantage of getting COVID-19 vaccination.