Factors associated with uptake of Covid-19 Vaccine among Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients attending Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala- Uganda

Abstract

Background: Globally, the outbreak of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created an enormous effect across societies. By getting vaccinated, the individual is protected against adverse effects of corona virus, but also avoids the spread of the preventable disease to other people in the community. The variations in acceptance rates of COVID-19 vaccine have been identified from country to country. In Uganda, vaccine hesitancy among TB patients is undocumented. Objectives: This study was aimed at investigating the factors associated with uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among pulmonary tuberculosis patients at Mulago national referral hospital, Uganda. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design, involving both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Research-administered questionnaires and in-depth interview guides were used to collect data. Data were collected from 207 respondents for the quantitative component, and 20 in-depth interview respondents for the qualitative part. Results: The uptake of COVID-19 vaccination was 50.2%. Factors that were negatively associated with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among pulmonary tuberculosis patients included; myths about COVID-19 being a punishment from God [aPR = 0. 79, (CI 95% = 0.62 – 0.99, p = 0.043)]; myths about COVID-19 being a business for health care workers [aPR = 0.71, (CI 95% = 0.54 – 0.94, p = 0.015)]; myths regarding intention to use Africans as guinea pigs [aPR = 0.68, (CI 95% = 0.52 – 0.87, p = 0.003)]; high risk perception of exposure by unvaccinated individual [aPR = 0.69, (CI 95% = 0.52 – 0.92, p = 0.011)]; perception that the vaccines are unsafe [aPR = 1.67, (CI 95% = 1.27 – 2.20, p = 0.000)]; perceiving the vaccine having anticipated side effects [aPR= 0.71, (CI 95% = 0.57 – 0.90, p = 0.005)]; perceived short duration of vaccine development [aPR =0.54, (CI 95% =0.29 – 0.99, p = 0.045)]; and perceived short duration of COVID-19 vaccine approval [aPR =0.72, (CI 95% = 0.58 – 0.89, p = 0.003)]. Qualitative results highlighted that awareness creation was a major facilitator for uptake of COVID-19 vaccine. While, fear of side effects was a major barrier against the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine.Conclusions and recommendations: The level of uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among TB patients was low, and it was influenced by several factors as stated above. Hence there is need for establishment of awareness programs targeting TB patients that would focus on dispelling myths and sensitizing about the safety of the vaccine so as to increase uptake.