The Role of Health Education in Covid 19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Outpatients in Kericho County, Kenya. An Institution Based Cross Sectional Survey

Abstract

Vaccine hesitancy is a global health issue. It is known to undermine the efforts of relief agencies and humanitarian institutions to control the spread of Covid 19 pandemic and attain herd immunity, hence leading to prolonged public health, social, and economic consequences. The aim of the study was to assess Covid-19 vaccination hesitancy rate among individuals residing in Kericho County, and the role of mass education in vaccine hesitancy. Health facility based cross sectional study was carried out among participants who had access to mass health education on Covid 19 disease. The 5Cs psychological antecedents of vaccination model was used to construct variables based on the five dimensions of confidence, convenience, complacency, risk calculations and collective responsibilities. Simple random sampling and proportionate probability to size were used to select 1200 participants. Structured questionnaires were used during the study period. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 26. Binary regression model was used to establish the nature of association between the study variables. The study found that those having confidence in the safety of the vaccine had lower likelihood of accepting it (AoR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.37 – 0.86, p = 0.008), while a higher likelihood of accepting Covid 19 vaccine was observed among those who were well informed about it (AoR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.78-4.31, p < 0.001) and those who thought that getting the vaccine was important (AoR = 7.78, 95% CI: 2.74 – 22.12, P < 0.001). Therefore, health education can potentially improve the confidence about Covid 19 vaccine but not complacency about the vaccine.