Correlates of Covid-19 Vaccine Acceptance among Residents of Ohio: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Recent studies in the United States have shown that between 56 to 74% are willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. A significant portion of the population should be vaccinated to avoid severe illness and prevent unnecessary deaths. We examined correlates of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among a representative sample of adults residing in Ohio.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using an online platform (n = 2358). Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and multivariable regression analysis were performed.

Results: Overall, 59.1% of the participants indicated COVID-19 vaccine acceptance to be vaccinated. In the multivariable model, the likelihood of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was lower for younger individuals compared to those 55 years and older. The odds of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were lower for: females compared to males (OR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.47-0.71; P = 0.001), non-Hispanic blacks compared to non-Hispanic whites (OR: 0.49 95% CI: 0.35-0.70; P = 0.001), previously married (OR 0.64 95% CI: 0.49-0.84; P = 0.002) and never been married (OR 0.75 95% CI: 0.59-0.96; P = 0.023) compared to married people, individuals with less than high school (OR 0.21 95% CI: 0.08-0.60; P = 0.003) and high school education (OR: 0.45 95% CI: 0.36-0.55; P < 0.001) compared to those with education beyond high school, and for individuals who had no confidence in the abilities of the state government (OR 0.69 95% CI: 0.53-0.89; P = 0.005) and other world governments to combat COVID-19 (OR 0.67 95% CI: 0.50-0.91; P = 0.009). A one unit increase in knowledge about COVID-19 (OR 1.19, 95% CI: 1.13-1.26; P < 0.001), behavioral adherence (OR 1.25, 95% CI: 1.15-1.37; P < 0.001), perceived susceptibility (OR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03-1.17; P = 0.004), perceived severity (OR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03-1.16; P = 0.003), and trust in COVID-19 messages from the government scores (OR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.06-1.10; P < 0.001) were associated with an increase in the likelihood of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance differed by sociodemographic and other modifiable factors. Findings can inform local public health authorities in the development of effective, context-specific communication strategies to improve vaccination uptake.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine; prevention; public health; vaccine acceptance; vaccine hesitancy.