Abstract:
Background: The high coverage of vaccination, which may be measured by the number of those
successfully convinced to take vaccination, is a key factor in combating the COVID-19
pandemic. This, however, appears to be linked to the precise identification of the underlying
factors for intention to take vaccine. Besides these, there are no studies that show the prevalence
and predictors of intention to take COVID-19 vaccine in the study area.
Objectives: To assess intention to take COVID-19 vaccination and predictors among adult
residents of Jimma town, Oromia, Southwest Ethiopia.
Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 627 adult
residents of Jimma town from May 10 to 25, 2022. A Multistage sampling technique was used to
recruit the respondents. An interviewer administered pre-tested structured questionnaire was
used to collect the data. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 25 software. A descriptive
analysis such as frequency, percentage, median and interquartile range was performed as
necessary. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify
predictors of intention to take COVID-19 vaccine. P-value <0.05 with 95% CI was considered to
indicate a significant association.
Result: Of the 627 study participants, 346 (55.2%); (95% CI: 51.0%-59.2%) have the intention
to take COVID-19 vaccine. Among the constructs of theory of planned behavior, direct
(AOR=1.96; 95% CI :( 1.12-3.43) and indirect Perceived behavioural control (AOR=1.22; 95%
CI: (1.06-1.41), direct attitude (AOR=2.38; 95% CI: (1.32-4.41), and direct subjective norms
(AOR=1.58; 95% CI: (1.06-2.36), had statistically significant association with respondens‟
intention to take COVID-19 vaccine.
Conclusion: In this study, we found that respondents‟ intention towards COVID-19 vaccination
was low. Direct attitude, direct subjective norms, direct PBC, and indirect PBC have been
predicted as adults‟ intention to take COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, behavioral change
communication interventions such as media campaigns, community education, and dialogue
guided by theory of planned behavior, for empowering adults to confront unvaccination and
reducing the negative influence of referents need to be focused on to increase the vaccination up take.
