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BMC Public Health

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Open Access 01-12-2022 | COVID-19 Vaccination | Research

COVID-19 vaccination acceptance in underserved urban areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi: results from a cross-sectional survey

Authors: Twangar Kazmi, Mujahid Abdullah, Adnan Ahmad Khan, Rana Muhammad Safdar, Sabeen Afzal, Ayesha Khan

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

Urban slums are home to a significant number of marginalized individuals and are often excluded from public services. This study explores the determinants of willingness and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in urban slums in Pakistan.

Methods

The study uses a cross-sectional survey of 1760 respondents from five urban slums in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad carried out between June 16 and 26, 2021. Pairwise means comparison tests and multivariate logistic regressions were applied to check the associations of socio-demographic factors and COVID-19 related factors with willingness to get vaccinated and vaccination uptake.

Results

Only 6% of the sample was fully vaccinated while 16% were partially vaccinated at the time of survey. Willingness to receive vaccination was associated with higher education (aOR: 1.583, CI: 1.031, 2.431), being employed (aOR: 1.916, CI: 1.423, 2.580), prior infection in the family (but not self) (aOR: 1.646, CI: 1.032, 2.625), family vaccination (aOR: 3.065, CI: 2.326, 4.038), knowing of and living close to a vaccination center (aOR: 2.851, CI: 1.646, 4.939), and being worried about COVID-19 (aOR: 2.117, CI: 1.662, 2.695). Vaccine uptake was influenced by the same factors as willingness, except worriedness about COVID-19. Both willingness and vaccination were the lowest in the two informal settlements that are the furthest from public facilities.

Conclusions

We found low lived experience with COVID-19 infection in urban slums, with moderate willingness to vaccinate and low vaccination uptake. Interventions that seek to vaccinate individuals against COVID-19 must account for urban poor settlement populations and overcome structural barriers such as distance from vaccination services, perhaps by bringing such services to these communities.

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Title: COVID-19 vaccination acceptance in underserved urban areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi: results from a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Twangar Kazmi
Mujahid Abdullah
Adnan Ahmad Khan
Rana Muhammad Safdar
Sabeen Afzal
Ayesha Khan
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: COVID-19 Vaccination
Vaccination
COVID-19
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14553-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

COVID-19 vaccination acceptance in underserved urban areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi: results from a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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