HIFA is grateful to the Global Health Academy at the University of Edinburgh for supporting this ongoing discussion on COVID-19, information and misinformation. Here is our 1,465th message in this thread! You can read our analysis of the first 865 messages in the Journal of Medical Internet Research Innovation https://www.hifa.org/news/new-paper-qualitative-analysis-covid-19-discus...
Citation, abstract and a comment from me below.
CITATION: COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Vaccination Hesitancy in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, Northern Tanzania
Jaffu Othniel Chilongola et al. Tanzania Journal of Medical Research 2022
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/thrb/article/view/222895
ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 vaccinations have reignited optimism in many cultures devastated by the pandemic's tremendous loss of lives and livelihoods. Vaccination hesitancy is a critical and growing international problem in the global effort to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. To successfully handle vaccination hesitancy concerns, it is necessary to understand the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors on COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to understand people’s knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes about COVID 19 and its related vaccines.
Methods: In October 2021, a cross-sectional study with 232 participants was conducted. A standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data.
Results: Most respondents in the present survey heard about COVID-19 between January and March 2020. Social media and newspapers are the most effective sources of information on COVID-19, reaching 34.48 % of the population. Basic COVID-19 knowledge was reported to be moderate. Nearly half of the respondents (48.3 %) thought SARSCOV-2 was man-made, while 36.21 % were unsure. Good preventive behaviors were indicated by 49.14 % of subjects. Overall, we find that around 65 % of people are reluctant to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Male gender, low education, and occupation were shown to be more hesitant about vaccination. In this study, healthcare workers were averse to getting the COVID-19 vaccine. The reasons for vaccination hesitation were "unknown safety" of the vaccines (17.4 %) and "unknown long-term consequences" of the vaccines (18.97 %). Almost a third (27.59 %) of those interviewed said they had no intention of being vaccinated.
Conclusion: We report moderate knowledge on COVID-19, as well as effective preventive practices, but negative attitudes regarding COVID-19 vaccination, resulting in low vaccination rates of 6.9%. Misinformation regarding COVID-19 appears to play a key role in vaccination reluctance.
COMMENT (NPW): On HIFA we have learned about several national/local studies of knowledge and attitudes to COVID-19 vaccination. It would be interesting to see a comparative analysis across different countries and continents.
Best wishes, Neil
Neil Pakenham-Walsh, Global Coordinator HIFA, www.hifa.org neil@hifa.org
Working in official relations with WHO
