COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and attitude post-initiation of vaccination drive, a cross-sectional study across Odisha

Sravya Kuchi; Swayam P Parida

doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1862_21

COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and attitude post-initiation of vaccination drive, a cross-sectional study across Odisha

J Family Med Prim Care. 2022 May;11(5):1996-2001. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1862_21. Epub 2022 May 14.

Authors

Sravya Kuchi¹, Swayam P Parida²

Affiliations

¹ Intern, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
² Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

Abstract

Objectives: To find the prevalence of COVID vaccine hesitancy amongst people of Odisha and reasons for the same.

Design: Observational Study.

Setting: Outpatients, inpatients, and attenders in tertiary health centers in Khorda, Tangi, and Mendhasal, Odisha, India; online data via google forms from people across the state.

Duration of study: April to June 2021.

Participants: Convenience sampling of 450 adults aged between 18 and 60.

Main outcome measure: Willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Results: Hesitancy rate stands at 12.7%, with 5.7% in the urban setting and 20.9% in rural (CI 95%, P = 0.000), 3.1% amongst males and 25.4% females (CI 95% P = 0.000), and 42.6% amongst the homemakers. Main reasons for vaccine hesitancy include lack of knowledge about efficacy,fear of side effects, and testing positive despite taking the vaccine.

Conclusions: The near tripling of the hesitancy rates indicates a probable hindrance in stopping the spread of the infection. Family physicians have a significant role in alleviating the myths, counseling people, and managing adverse events.

Keywords: Attitude; COVID-19; hesitancy; vaccine.