Original Research – Special Collection: Vaccine Effectiveness in Africa COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among health workers in Kampala city, Uganda

Moses Ocan, Maureen Katusiime, Daniel Kyabayinze, Benon Kwesiga, Rodgers Ayebare, Suzan Nakasendwa, Leah Mbabazi, Henry K. Bosa, Hellen Nansiiro, Daphine Sanger, Mordecai Tayebwa, Boniconsilli Tusiime, Agnes Kiragga, Francis Kakooza, Elizabeth Gonese, Tamrat Shaweno, Nebiyu Dereje, Mosoka P. Fallah, Alex R. Ario

Journal of Public Health in Africa | Vol 16, No 1 | a720 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jphia.v16i1.720 | © 2025 Moses Ocan, Maureen Katusiime, Daniel Kyabayinze, Benon Kwesiga, Rodgers Ayebare, Suzan Nakasendwa, Leah Mbabazi, Henry K. Bosa, Hellen Nansiiro, Daphine Sanger, Mordecai Tayebwa, Boniconsilli Tusiime, Agnes Kiragga, Francis Kakooza, Elizabeth Gonese, Tam | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 04 July 2024 | Published: 28 February 2025

About the author(s) Moses Ocan, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Maureen Katusiime, Department of Epidemiology, Clinical Services, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
Daniel Kyabayinze, Department of Public Health, Clinical Services, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
Benon Kwesiga, Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Uganda National Institute of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
Rodgers Ayebare, Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Suzan Nakasendwa, Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Leah Mbabazi, Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Henry K. Bosa, Clinical Services, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
Hellen Nansiiro, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Daphine Sanger, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Mordecai Tayebwa, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Boniconsilli Tusiime, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Agnes Kiragga, Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, African Population and Health Research Center, Kampala, Uganda
Francis Kakooza, Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Elizabeth Gonese, Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Africa Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Harare, Zimbabwe
Tamrat Shaweno, Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Africa Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Nebiyu Dereje, Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Africa Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mosoka P. Fallah, Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Africa Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Monrovia, Liberia
Alex R. Ario, Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Uganda Institute of Public Health, Kampla, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is crucial for healthcare workers (HCWs) and understanding their perspectives is vital for promoting vaccine uptake in communities.

Aim: This study assessed factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake among HCWs in Kampala, Uganda.

Setting: A cross-sectional study was done in seven high-volume health facilities in Kampala.

Methods: A questionnaire based on the Behavioural and Social Drivers Model was administered to 200 HCWs. Data were analysed using STATA version 17 to identify associations with vaccination status.

Results: Overall vaccination uptake was 65.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 58.1, 71.8), with 17.7% (95% CI: 12.6, 23.7) having received a booster dose. Concerns about safety and side effects were the primary reasons for vaccine hesitancy. While HCWs generally believed that getting vaccinated for diseases such as measles and tuberculosis can help prevent sickness or death, with 70.5% (n = 141/200) strongly agreeing, only 48% (n = 96/200) of HCWs strongly agreed that vaccination against COVID-19 can reduce the risk of illness or death. Age, profession and facility type were associated with vaccination status.

Conclusion: Healthcare workers in Kampala had high vaccine uptake, but safety concerns remain. Targeted communication strategies from the Ministry of Health are needed to address these concerns and further increase vaccine confidence.

Contribution: This study reveals specific reasons for vaccine hesitancy among HCWs in an African urban setting. These insights inform interventions to improve vaccine uptake in this key population.

Keywords

healthcare worker, COVID-19; vaccine uptake, vaccine hesitancy, health facilities, Uganda

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Metrics Total abstract views: 232
Total article views: 255

Crossref Citations

No related citations found.