COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and associated factors among medical students in Sudan

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 vaccination in Sudan launched in March 2021 but the extent of its acceptance has not been formally studied. This study aimed to determine the acceptance and hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccine and associated factors among medical students in Sudan. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire designed on Google Form and sent to randomly-selected medical students via their Telegram accounts from 30(th) June to 11(th) July 2021. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression were used to assess the association between vaccine acceptance and demographic as well as non-demographic factors. RESULTS: Out of the 281 students who received the questionnaire, 220 (78%) responded, of whom 217 consented and completed the form. Males accounted for 46. 1%. Vaccine acceptance was 55. 8% (n = 121), and vaccine hesitancy was 44. 2% (n = 96). The commonly cited reasons for accepting the vaccine were to protect themselves and others from getting COVID-19. Concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness were the main reasons reported by those who were hesitant. Factors associated with vaccine acceptance were history of COVID-19 infection (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2. 2, 95% CI 1. 0–4.7, p = 0. 040), belief that vaccines are generally safe (aOR = 2.3, 95% CI 1. 2–4.5, p = 0.020), confidence that the vaccine can end the pandemic (aOR = 7.5, 95% CI 2. 5–22. 0, p<0.001), and receiving any vaccine in the past 5 years (aOR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.1–5.4, p = 0.031). No demographic association was found with the acceptance of the vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: This study has revealed a high level of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among medical students. Efforts to provide accurate information on COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness are highly recommended.