Community health workers willingness to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials and intention to vaccinate: A cross-sectional survey in India

• Published in: Clinical epidemiology and global health 2022-09, Vol.17, p.101113-101113, Article 101113
• Main Authors: Goel, Kapil, Sen, Arunima, Goel, Parul, Satapathy, Prakasini, Jain, Lovely, Vij, Jatina, Patro, Binod Kumar, Kar, Sitanshu Sekhar, Chakrapani, Venkatesan, Singh, Ritesh, Pala, Star, Sankhe, Lalit, Modi, Bhavesh, Bali, Surya, Rustagi, Neeti, Nadda, Anuradha, Rajagopal, Vineeth, Kiran, Tanvi, Aggarwal, Arun Kumar, Gupta, Madhu, Padhi, Bijaya Kumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coronavirus; Perceived risk; Vaccine acceptance; Village health workers; Willingness
• ISSN: 2213-3984; 2452-0918; 2213-3984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2022.101113

Vaccine hesitancy is of considerable concern as it threatens the great potential of a vaccine against COVID-19. This study aims to determine factors associated with community health workers’ willingness to participate in clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine, and their vaccination intention, in India. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 377 community health workers using self-administered anonymous questionnaire during the lockdown periods in India. Participant's socio-demographics, willingness-to-participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials, intention to accept COVID-19 vaccine were recorded in a Likert scale. Data were analysed descriptively, and a multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate factors associated with willingness to participate and accept the vaccine. Among 377 CHWs, 70 (19%) intended to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trial, 151 (40%) responded positively regarding their intention to get vaccinated. Those with knowledge on development of COVID-19 vaccine [aOR 3.05 (95% CI: 1.18–7.88), p = 0.021], and men [aOR 3.69 (95% CI: 1.51–8.97), p = 0.004] were more willing to participate in clinical-trial, while an undergraduate degree, and trust in domestic vaccines were identified as deterrents for the same. Perceiving COVID-19 as risk [aOR 2.31 (95% CI: 1.24–4.31), p = 0.009], and male gender [aOR 2.39 (95% CI: 1.17–4.88), p = 0.017] were factors associated with intention to get vaccinated. Respondents who had knowledge about COVID-19 virus were less likely to uptake the hypothetical vaccine [aOR 0.32 (95% CI: 0.12–0.88), p = 0.027]. Increasing knowledge regarding COVID-19 is not enough to improve vaccine acceptance rates. Targeted interventions addressing socio-demographic determinants related to COVID-19 vaccination should help improve acceptance.