Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake and Associated Factors Among Adult Residents in Fitche Town, North Shewa Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022: Using Health Belief Model

Background The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. More than 90% of countries, including Ethiopia, have encountered vaccine hesitancy, which can seriously threaten the successful implementation of vaccination campaigns with low coverage in Africa. This study aimed to determine the use of COVID-19 vaccines and identify associated factors among adult residents in Fitche Town, Ethiopia. Objective To assess COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among adult residents in Fitche town, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022. Methods This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 5–30, 2022, among the adult population of Fiche town residents. Face-to-face interviews were administered via a structured questionnaire. The data were downloaded to Excel from the Kobo toolbox and subsequently exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Variables with a P value < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression model. The degree of association was expressed using an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of < 0.05. Results With a 98.7% response rate, a median age of 35 years and an interquartile range of 60 years, the overall magnitude of COVID-19 vaccine uptake for at least one dose of any vaccine type among adult residents was 46.3% (95% CI; 42.3–50.2%). Respondents who were tested for COVID-19 [AOR = 1.86; 95% CI (1.088–3.170)], those who have family members or friends got vaccinated [AOR = 2.00; 95%CI (1.174–3.427)], had positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine[AOR = 2.37; 95% CI (1.372–4.101)],those who were high perceived susceptible [AOR = 4.9; 95% CI (2.647–9.194)], perceived high benefit [AOR = 5.2; 95% CI (2.197–12.385)] and those who had high clue to action [AOR = 2.3; 95% CI (1.270–4.192)] have significant association with COVID-19-vaccine uptake. Conclusion COVID-19 vaccine uptake among adult residents in Fitche Town was less than the level of herd immunity needed. Occupation status, ever being tested for COVID-19, friends or family members vaccinated for COVID-19, attitude towards COVID-19, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefit and cue to action were predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake at least once for any type of COVID-19 vaccine. The Fitche Town Health Office and stakeholders should mobilize, vaccinate and activate towards COVID-19 vaccine uptake.