Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: A Community-Based Study in Dumai City, Riau Province, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Indonesia’s lowest COVID-19 vaccine coverage of 6.5% is found in Teluk Makmur Village, Dumai City, Riau province. The success of the COVID-19 vaccination program is determined by vaccine hesitancy, which comprises numerous and presumably complex factors that vary over time and between countries or between regions of one given country. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy prevalence and influencing factors in the community. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2021 at Teluk Makmur Village, Dumai City, Riau Province, Indonesia, involving 149 respondents aged 25–93 years and using a questionnaire on respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics and their opinions on possible COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy factors were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression (p ˂ 0.05). RESULTS: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was present in 51.7% of respondents. Multivariable logistic regression findings: Comorbidities, fear of dying from COVID-19, feelings of shame/stigmatization if known to be infected with COVID-19 were not significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy. Education and distrust of government COVID-19 related policy were significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy. CONCLUSION: Half of respondents were hesitant about COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy factors consisted of education and distrust of government policy.