Abstract:
Background: The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is most likely taken place in high school students,
especially in countries where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Vaccination is therefore one of
the most effective methods of preventing the pandemic. Although there is evidence of the acceptance
status of the Covid-19 vaccine among various populations worldwide, little is known about the status of
vaccine acceptance among high school students in Ethiopia.
Objectives: To assess COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors among high school students
in Agaro town, Oromia, South west Ethiopia, 2022.
Methods: A cross-sectional institutional study was conducted June 15-30, 2022 among 422 high school
students. Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were conducted to
triangulate with the results of the quantitative study. Sample size was allocated proportionally and a
simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. An interviewer-led structured
questionnaire was used to collect data. The data collected were downloaded from the Kobo toolbox in
Excel format and exported to SPSS software version 26 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic
regression analyzes were performed to examine the association between Covid-19 vaccine acceptability
and explanatory variables. A total of three key person interviews and two focus group discussions were
conducted. Qualitative data were analyzed manually and the results were triangulated with quantitative
studies.
Results: of the 422 study participants, the response rate was 96.2% (406). Out of a total of 406 study
participants, 88 (21.7%) had willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Being male [AOR=2.70.95% CI,
1.41-5.20], had positive attitudes towards taking COVID-19 vaccine [AOR=7.33, 95% CI 3.04-17, 69],
fear of COVID-19 [AOR=2.42, 95% CI 1.12-5.26], high perceived risk [AOR=3.73, 95% CI 1, 75–8.01]
and confidence in receiving a the vaccine [AOR=8.17, 95% CI 4.11–16.23] had a statistically significant
association with acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in high school students. The results of the
qualitative study showed that fear of side effects, confidence in vaccine safety and negative attitude
towards COVID-19 vaccines were reasons for not accepting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Conclusions: In the current study, the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine was low. The finding showed
that respondents sex, perceived risk, fear, attitudes towards the vaccine and confidence are factors that
affected the vaccine acceptance. Therefore, policy makers, program implementers, and other stakeholders
need to undertake interventions to communicate behavioral change among high school students
