Prevalence and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in health professionals in Togo, 2021.
F A Gbeasor-Komlanvi, K A Afanvi, Y R Konu, Y Agbobli, A J Sadio, M K Tchankoni, W I C Zida-Compaore, J Nayo-Apetsianyi, S Agoro, A Lambokale, D Nyametso, T N'tapi, K Aflagah, M Mijiyawa, D K Ekouevi
Author Information
F A Gbeasor-Komlanvi: University of Lomé, Department of Public Health, Lomé, Togo.
K A Afanvi: University of Lomé, Department of Public Health, Lomé, Togo.
Y R Konu: University of Lomé, Department of Public Health, Lomé, Togo.
Y Agbobli: University of Lomé, Faculty of Health Sciences, Lomé, Togo.
A J Sadio: University of Lomé, Department of Public Health, Lomé, Togo.
M K Tchankoni: African Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health, Lomé, Togo.
W I C Zida-Compaore: African Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health, Lomé, Togo.
J Nayo-Apetsianyi: Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage, Lomé, Togo.
S Agoro: Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage, Lomé, Togo.
A Lambokale: Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage, Lomé, Togo.
D Nyametso: Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage, Lomé, Togo.
T N'tapi: Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage, Lomé, Togo.
K Aflagah: Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage, Lomé, Togo.
M Mijiyawa: Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage, Lomé, Togo.
D K Ekouevi: University of Lomé, Department of Public Health, Lomé, Togo.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among health professionals (HPs) in Togo STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study was conducted between 24 February and 3 March 2021 among HPs in Togo. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and intention of vaccination were collected using an online questionnaire. Willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 was assessed using a single item: "Would you be willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19?". Responses were grouped into three categories: acceptance (), hesitancy () and refusal (). Multinomial regression analyses were performed to assess factors associated with vaccine hesitancy or refusal. RESULTS: A total of 1115 HPs (79.1% male) with a median age of 35 years were enrolled in the study. Vaccine acceptance, hesitancy and refusal were 44.1%, 32.2% and 23.7%, respectively. Female gender was associated with an increased risk of hesitancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.93; p = 0.005) and refusal (aOR = 1.77; p = 0.005). Participant age 50 years, having a personal history of COVID-19 infection and a good knowledge of COVID-19 vaccination were factors that reduced the risk of refusal [(aOR = 0.30; p < 0.001), (aOR = 0.43; p = 0.031) and (aOR = 0.62; p = 0.020)] or hesitancy [(aOR = 0.53; p = 0.005), (aOR = 0.13; p < 0.001) and (aOR = 0.35; p < 0.001)] of the vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine before the vaccination campaign was mixed among HPs, especially young HPs. Sensitisation and information campaigns should be reinforced to combat misinformation and increase COVID-19 vaccination acceptance in the context of the ongoing global pandemic.
