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Original Research – Special Collection: Vaccine Effectiveness in Africa
COVID-19 vaccine uptake, barriers and associated factors among healthcare workers in Malawi
Submitted: 09 June 2024 | Published: 14 February 2025
About the author(s)
Clara Sambani, Public Health Institute of Malawi, Lilongwe, MalawiTonny Muwonge, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Liness Chinyamunyamu, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
Amon Dembo, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi
Mosoka P. Fallah, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Liberia
Victor Chikwapulo, World Health Organization, Lilongwe, Malawi
Mavuto Thomas, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
Charity Gondwe, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi
Regina Mankhamba, Public Health Institute of Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
Leah Mbabazi, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Suzan Nakasendwa, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Rodgers R. Ayebare, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Collins Mitambo, Public Health Institute of Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
Matthew Kagoli, Public Health Institute of Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
Dzinkambani Kambalame, Public Health Institute of Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
Clement Seven, Public Health Institute of Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
Tadala Mwale, Public Health Institute of Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
Edna Mandala, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
Abigail Kazembe, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
McWilliam Kalua, Malawi Ministry of Health Extended Program of Immunization, Lilongwe, Malawi
Senga Sembuche, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tanzania, United Republic of
Elizabeth Gonese, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Zimbabwe
Tamrat Shaweno, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Nebiyu Dereje, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Evelyn C. Banda, Public Health Institute of Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
Tajudeen Raji, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mitch Matoga, University of North Carolina Project, Charlotte, United States
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to an urgent need for a global vaccine. Despite being a priority group, the vaccine uptake among healthcare workers (HCWs) remains low.
Aim: This article assessed the COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its associated barriers in Malawi.
Setting: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs in Malawi’s Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu districts from 11 April 2023 to 14 April 2023.
Methods: Proportionally distributed among various cadres, 200 participants were randomly selected. A structured questionnaire was administered, assessing HCWs’ uptake, willingness, attitudes and barriers to COVID-19 vaccines. Data were managed in REDCap and analysed using STATA version 14. Frequencies and percentages were computed. Variables with p-value ≤ 0.25 were included in the multivariable modified passion model.
Results: A total of 175 (88%) participants received a single-dose vaccine, while only 11.5% received a booster. Vaccine uptake was associated with age groups 25–34 years (aPR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.21, 4.60) and 35–44 years (aPR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.18, 4.50), being a nurse/midwife (aPR = 0.86, CI: 0.74, 0.99) and laboratory personnel (aPR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.74, 0.99). Unvaccinated HCWs were concerned about vaccine side effects and lacked trust in the development process.
Conclusion: Issues of vaccine safety, side effects and lack of trust in the vaccine should be addressed. Promoting awareness of vaccine development and benefits, targeting all age groups and cadres, is required among HCWs.
Contribution: The findings can be utilised to develop specific interventions on age and cadre to promote vaccine acceptance among HCWs, in countries with similar contextual settings to Malawi.
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goal
Metrics
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