Introduction: Vaccination faces several obstacles in the fight against COVID-19, yet it has been identified as one of the most effective means of preventing new epidemics of COVID-19. The aim was to contribute to improving vaccination coverage against COVID-19 in the Kindu health zone. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytical focus, using a questionnaire that enabled us to carry out a survey from October 03 to 30, 2022. Our target study population was residents of the Kindu health zone. A total of 420 subjects participated in our study, including 42 per site. Results: The study revealed a low proportion of vaccinated subjects (38.3%) and a high proportion of non-vaccinated subjects (61.70%). Non-belief in the efficacy of vaccines (p = 0.001), infodemia (p = 0.001) and respect for ethnic norms (p = 0.001) were identified as perceived barriers to vaccination. Fear of being branded with the “666” beast badge (p = 0.004) as the perceived severity. Respondents’ perceptions of mass vaccination against COVID-19 are mixed, and their opinions and expectations of COVID-19 vaccination in the town of Kindu are divided. Conclusion: In order to increase the proportion of people vaccinated against COVID-19, it is suggested here to increase the population’s ability to detect false information through a well-structured communication and health education program.
References
[1]
Samira, B. (2021) La maladie COVID-19. Ph.D. Thesis, University Center of abdalhafid boussouf—MILA. http://dspace.centre-univ-mila.dz/jspui/handle/123456789/1134
[2]
Africa CDC (2022) Bulletin d’information N° 146: Sur la pandémie de la maladie à Coronavirus (COVID-19). https://africacdc.org/covid-19/
[3]
CMR COVID 19, Multisectoral Committee for the Response to the COVID-19 Pan-demic in the DRC (2022) Covid-19/Bulletin n°955 Wednesday November 2, 2022: COVID-19 Epidemiological Situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzGpGTKdfVhqrZVRGwqqjCCwVqCV?projector=1
[4]
Couvreur, P. and Louvard, D. (2021) COVID-19 and Drugs: Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches. ComptesRendus.Biologies, 344, 27-42. https://doi.org/10.5802/crbiol.38
[5]
Al-Qerem, W.A. and Jarab, A.S. (2021) COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance and Its Associated Factors among a Middle Eastern Population. FrontiersinPublicHealth, 9, Article 632914. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.632914
[6]
Eka, F. (2021) The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Businesses in Cameroon. Revue Economie, Gestion et Société, 1. https://doi.org/10.48382/IMIST.PRSM/regs-v1i28.25131
[7]
Kassimi, W. (2021) COVID-19 Vaccines and National Vaccination Strategy. Master’s Thesis, Mohammed V University. http://bib-fmp.um5.ac.ma/opac_fmp/index.php?lvl=author_see&id=31001
[8]
Kumari, A., Ranjan, P., Chopra, S., Kaur, D., Kaur, T., Upadhyay, A.D., et al. (2021) Knowledge, Barriers and Facilitators Regarding COVID-19 Vaccine and Vaccination Programme among the General Population: A Cross-Sectional Survey from One Thousand Two Hundred and Forty-Nine Participants. Diabetes&MetabolicSyndrome: ClinicalResearch&Reviews, 15, 987-992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2021.04.015
[9]
Ajayi, O.A., Ogunsola, O.O., Idowu, A., Ajayi, O.K., Wudiri, K., Asoka-Ikechukwu, R., et al. (2024) COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake and Associated Factors in Selected Communities in Two Southwestern States in Nigeria. AdvancesinInfectiousDiseases, 14, 260-278. https://doi.org/10.4236/aid.2024.141020
[10]
Walker, A.N., Zhang, T., Peng, X., Ge, J., Gu, H. and You, H. (2021) Vaccine Acceptance and Its Influencing Factors: An Online Cross-Sectional Study among International College Students Studying in China. Vaccines, 9, Article 585. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9060585
[11]
El Kartouti, F. (2021) Strategie vaccinale dans la lutte contre la COVID-19. Master’s Thesis, Mohammed V University. https://toubkal.imist.ma/handle/123456789/30166
[12]
Sako, D. (2021) Perception du personnel socio-sanitaire et de la Population de la commune iv du district de Bamako-Mali Sur le vaccin contre la Covid-19, 2021. Master’s Thesis, University of Science and Technology and Technologies of Bamako. https://www.bibliosante.ml/handle/123456789/6238
[13]
Sortiraparis (2022) Vaccination in the World on Saturday, November 5, 2022: Percentage of Population Vaccinated by Country. https://www.sortiraparis.com/actualites/coronavirus/articles/240384-vaccination-dans-le-monde-le-samedi-5-novembre-2022-pourcentage-de-population-vaccinee-par-pays
[14]
UNICEF (2022) Vaccination against COVID-19 Has Begun in the Democratic Re-public of Congo: Press Release. https://www.unicef.org/drcongo/communiques-de-presse/la-vaccination-contre-la-covid-19-commence-en-rdc
[15]
BCZ-Kindu, Kindu Health Zone Central Office (2022) Data Bases of the First Vaccination Campaign against COVID-19 in the Health Zone of Kindu.
[16]
Gregory, M.E., Powell, J.R., MacEwan, S.R., Kurth, J.D., Kenah, E., Panchal, A.R., et al. (2021) COVID-19 Vaccinations in EMS Professionals: Prevalence and Predictors. PrehospitalEmergencyCare, 26, 632-640. https://doi.org/10.1080/10903127.2021.1993391
[17]
Kanyike, A.M., Olum, R., Kajjimu, J., Ojilong, D., Akech, G.M., Nassozi, D.R., et al. (2021) Acceptance of the Coronavirus Disease-2019 Vaccine among Medical Students in Uganda. TropicalMedicineandHealth, 49, Article No. 37. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-021-00331-1
[18]
Limbu, Y.B., Gautam, R.K. and Pham, L. (2022) The Health Belief Model Applied to COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: A Systematic Review. Vaccines, 10, Article 973. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10060973
[19]
Badr, H., Zhang, X., Oluyomi, A., Woodard, L.D., Adepoju, O.E., Raza, S.A., et al. (2021) Overcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Insights from an Online Population-Based Survey in the United States. Vaccines, 9, Article 1100. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9101100
[20]
Wong, L.P., Alias, H., Megat Hashim, M.M.A.A., Lee, H.Y., AbuBakar, S., Chung, I., et al. (2022) Acceptability for COVID-19 Vaccination: Perspectives from Muslims. HumanVaccines&Immunotherapeutics, 18, Article ID: 2045855. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2022.2045855
[21]
Pierri, F., DeVerna, M.R., Yang, K.C., Axelrod, D., Bryden, J. and Menczer, F. (2022) One Year of COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation on Twitter. arXiv: 2209.01675. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2209.01675
[22]
Magadmi, R.M. and Kamel, F.O. (2021) Beliefs and Barriers Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination among the General Population in Saudi Arabia. BMCPublicHealth, 21, Article No. 1438. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11501-5
[23]
Ditekemena, J.D., Nkamba, D.M., Mutwadi, A., Mavoko, H.M., Siewe Fodjo, J.N., Luhata, C., et al. (2021) COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Vaccines, 9, Article 153. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020153