COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among non-communicable disease patients in Haiti

TL;DR

This study explores how non-communicable disease patients in rural Haiti feel about the COVID-19 vaccine and what factors influence their acceptance or hesitancy.

Contribution

The study provides insights into vaccine hesitancy and knowledge gaps among NCD patients in rural Haiti, highlighting the need for culturally tailored interventions.

Findings

34% of unvaccinated NCD patients in rural Haiti reported vaccine acceptance.

High awareness of COVID-19 exists, but accurate knowledge of symptoms and prevention is limited.

Significant hesitancy was observed among those preferring traditional medicine over vaccination.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge global health, with individuals suffering from cardiometabolic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes at increased risk of severe complications. While vaccination is a key preventive measure, acceptance varies due to factors including safety concerns and cultural beliefs. This study assesses COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy, along with knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to COVID-19 among non-communicable disease (NCD) patients in rural central Haiti.

We conducted a cross-sectional study from September 2021 to January 2022 at the outpatient NCD clinic of Hopital Universitaire de Mirebalais. A total of 229 NCD patients were surveyed to evaluate vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and KAP regarding COVID-19. Data were analyzed using Chi-squared tests, T-tests, and logistic regression.

Participants’ average age was 56.2 years, with 75.1% being female. Vaccine acceptance was reported by 34% of unvaccinated individuals, with significant hesitancy among those favoring traditional medicine. Despite high awareness of COVID-19 (99.6%), accurate knowledge of symptoms and preventive measures was limited.

Targeted interventions addressing vaccine hesitancy among people with non-communicable diseases in rural Haiti are crucial. Culturally sensitive education delivered through community health workers could improve vaccine uptake in this high-risk population.

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