Factors associated with vaccine hesitation in the angolan population

Abstract

Vaccine hesitation is a public health problem that affects individuals and communities. The aim of the study was to determine the factors associated with vaccine hesitation in the Angolan population. An observational, analytical, prospective and cross-sectional study was carried out, with a probabilistic sample of 1,066 inhabitants in 9 provinces and 78 municipalities. 485 children under 5 years of age participated, with parents acting as information units, and 581 adults. Inclusion criteria: attendance at vaccination posts during the study period and voluntary acceptance. A questionnaire was applied to each group, with reliability above 60%. The variable “considers vaccination important”, divided each group into two. The study units were characterized by means of absolute frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The chi-square test and the Odds Ratio (OR) were used as measures of association and risk. Results: In the group of children, thirteen variables were identified as risk factors for vaccine hesitation, with the variable “considering vaccines safe” standing out as the greatest risk one (OR=11.51), while two variables proved to be protective, such as “sometimes there are no vaccines available”. Among adults, nine variables were classified as risk factors, with emphasis on “satisfaction with health service” (OR=0,68), in addition to two protective variables, such as “distance to health center”. Conclusions: Vaccination in children and adults showed that the factors that reduce vaccine hesitancy are satisfaction with the healthcare service and trust in healthcare professionals, although the vaccine was not always available, reinforcing the idea that hesitancy exists.