COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in KwaZulu-Natal, the reasons thereof and religion as a factor: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine is one of the key methods known to control the pandemic. Despite the establishment of multiple vaccines, the virus continues to mutate and spread, resulting in devastating illnesses, while vaccine hesitancy is feared to undermine the vaccines’ efficacy. A recurrent factor in influencing vaccine hesitancy is religion. The aim of this study hence was to ascertain the proportion of vaccine accepting to hesitant individuals in the population, and to determine if religion influenced their behaviours. Methods A cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study was undertaken using an anonymous, coded questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed online from July to October 2022 to a sample size of 388 adults, residing in KwaZulu-Natal. Data was captured and statistical analysed using SPSS version 28, where frequency, Pearson’s Chi-square and non-parametric tests, were conducted to obtain the results. Results A 68.29% response rate was achieved. Although 78.87% of the sample was vaccinated, 31.32% of these participants hesitated before taking the COVID-19 vaccine. Overall, 21.13% refused the vaccine completely. Religious beliefs as a factor for vaccine hesitancy was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.012). The main reason for acceptance is related to the advice given by healthcare professionals (49.4%), which was also the main source of information for all participants (76.6%). The main reason for hesitancy seemed to be the lack of information supplied to the public and, consequently, the lack of trust in manufacturers and leaders. Conclusion The study showed that there was a substantial proportion of individuals who accepted the vaccine, compared to those that were hesitant and refused to take it. Religion was a factor that influenced vaccine hesitancy, including misinformation and conspiracy theories. Healthcare professionals appeared to influence the decision to vaccinate.