Covid-19 Vaccination Barrier Analysis in Five Selected Districts of Southern Province in Zambia - Abstract
Background: To investigate the barriers that lead to people in the communities refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19. There are perceptions that COVID-19 vaccines are surrounded with myths and misconceptions resulting in reduced vaccination rates. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze COVID-19 vaccination barriers in communities and provide significant evidence for improved vaccination rates among eligible and vulnerable population. Methods: This study used a mixed methods research design; utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. The probability sampling method was utilized to select 150 participants. The qualitative data was collected through the focus group discussions (FGDs) while quantitative data through a pilot tested questionnaire. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis strategy and SPSS software. Results: The results of this study indicated that most of the respondents accounting for 67.7% affirmed that the COVID-19 vaccines were good for them. In addition, 25.8% of the respondents did not know whether the COVID-9 vaccines were good for them or not whereas, 6.5% of the respondents indicated that the COVID-19 vaccines were not good for them. Furthermore, the majority of the participants which accounted for 70% indicated that they were willing to take the COVID-19 vaccines if presented to them however, the other category that refused to get vaccinated associated COVID-19 injections to Satanism and that the COVID-19 vaccines were developed to eliminate African population. Conclusion: The COVID-19 vaccines were associated with major myths and misconceptions that resulted in failure by health authorities achieving herd immunity of the eligible population hence, policy makers and health promoters need to strengthen health promotion and public health interventions on COVID-19 vaccines in communities.