M Ihsan Kaadan1,2, Joud Abdulkarim3, Maher Chaar4, Obada Zayegh3, Mouhammed Ali Keblawi5. 1. Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. mikaadan@brandeis.edu. 2. Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. mikaadan@brandeis.edu. 3. Faculty of Medicine, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria. 4. Independent Researcher, Fort Myers, Florida, USA. 5. Department of Pediatric, Aleppo University Hospital, Aleppo, Syria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Arab region is highly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Local governments have already started to act against the disease. However, only a few countries provided COVID-19 vaccination. Compliance with vaccination is a major topic affecting proper coverage. Thus, we aim to explore vaccine acceptance among Arab populations, and compare it with the global numbers. METHODS: An internet-based survey using social media platforms was conducted, targeting adults who were able to read and understand Arabic, had access to the internet, and from all 22 Arab league countries. Due to the response rate variation between participants, the countries were grouped into four categories based on their income: Low income, Lower-middle income, Upper-middle income, and High-income economies. Data about demographics, previous COVID-19 infection, and vaccine acceptance tendency were collected and analyzed using Chi-squared (χ2) test and Logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 870 participants completed the survey. 59.3% of the participants were male, 53.3% were between 25 and 44 years, and 69.9% were Arabs who live inside of their home country. The COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate was 62.4%. A significant higher tendency toward vaccination was identified in males (65.4%, P = 0.04) and people living outside their home countries (67.9%, P = 0.02). However, age group, level of education, and previous COVID-19 infection were all factors with insignificant effect. Citizens of High-income countries were more likely to accept the vaccine (70.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Less than two-thirds of Arabs are compliant with COVID-19 vaccination. This proportion is relatively lower than the global rate. It is important to develop strategies to promote vaccine acceptance and reach the ideal coverage needed to achieve efficient immunization.
BACKGROUND: The Arab region is highly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Local governments have already started to act against the disease. However, only a few countries provided COVID-19 vaccination. Compliance with vaccination is a major topic affecting proper coverage. Thus, we aim to explore vaccine acceptance among Arab populations, and compare it with the global numbers. METHODS: An internet-based survey using social media platforms was conducted, targeting adults who were able to read and understand Arabic, had access to the internet, and from all 22 Arab league countries. Due to the response rate variation between participants, the countries were grouped into four categories based on their income: Low income, Lower-middle income, Upper-middle income, and High-income economies. Data about demographics, previous COVID-19infection, and vaccine acceptance tendency were collected and analyzed using Chi-squared (χ2) test and Logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 870 participants completed the survey. 59.3% of the participants were male, 53.3% were between 25 and 44 years, and 69.9% were Arabs who live inside of their home country. The COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate was 62.4%. A significant higher tendency toward vaccination was identified in males (65.4%, P = 0.04) and people living outside their home countries (67.9%, P = 0.02). However, age group, level of education, and previous COVID-19infection were all factors with insignificant effect. Citizens of High-income countries were more likely to accept the vaccine (70.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Less than two-thirds of Arabs are compliant with COVID-19 vaccination. This proportion is relatively lower than the global rate. It is important to develop strategies to promote vaccine acceptance and reach the ideal coverage needed to achieve efficient immunization.
Authors: Ma'mon M Hatmal; Mohammad A I Al-Hatamleh; Amin N Olaimat; Rohimah Mohamud; Mirna Fawaz; Elham T Kateeb; Omar K Alkhairy; Reema Tayyem; Mohamed Lounis; Marwan Al-Raeei; Rasheed K Dana; Hamzeh J Al-Ameer; Mutasem O Taha; Khalid M Bindayna Journal: Vaccines (Basel) Date: 2022-02-26