Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39905338›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2025

COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone: an application of Health Belief Model constructs.

Simon Ssentongo, Alex Muhereza, Morie Mustapha, Ruth Gemi, Dennis Cherian, Rebecca Waugh, Benjamin Crookston, Cougar Hall, Mary Linehan, Hayden Borg and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Simon SsentongoAfrica Christian Health Associations Platform, Nairobi, Kenya.
Alex MuherezaAfrica Christian Health Associations Platform, Nairobi, Kenya.
Morie MustaphaAfrica Christian Health Associations Platform, Nairobi, Kenya.
Ruth GemiAfrica Christian Health Associations Platform, Nairobi, Kenya.
Dennis CherianCorus International, Washington, DC, USA.
Rebecca WaughCorus International, Washington, DC, USA.
Benjamin CrookstonBrigham Young University, 4103 LSB, Provo, Utah, USA.
Cougar HallBrigham Young University, 4103 LSB, Provo, Utah, USA.
Mary LinehanBrigham Young University, 4103 LSB, Provo, Utah, USA.
Hayden BorgBrigham Young University, 4103 LSB, Provo, Utah, USA.
Joshua WestBrigham Young University, 4103 LSB, Provo, Utah, USA. josh.west@byu.edu.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionWhile African countries, in general, experienced a milder COVID-19 impact compared to Western nations, they faced challenges with vaccine uptake. Specifically, Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone saw vaccine acceptance rates below global averages. This research delves into the underlying factors that influenced these disparities in vaccine acceptance in these two countries, using the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as guiding frameworks.

methodsThis study utilized data from a cross-sectional survey encompassing 2,312 participants from areas where the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP) operates in Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone. The survey assessed respondents' views in line with core HBM and TPB constructs, in addition to their levels of vaccine acceptance. We then employed adjusted logistic regression models to investigate the correlation between health behavior change theory constructs and vaccine uptake, taking into account variables like gender, age, education, and country of residence.

resultsSeveral associations were identified, including high vaccine uptake correlated with a heightened perceived threat of COVID-19 (OR = 2.674; p < .001), recognized benefits of vaccination (OR = 1.482; p < .001), stronger perceived behavior control (OR = 2.189; p < .001), and fewer perceived barriers to vaccination (OR = 0.173; p < .001). Conversely, low vaccine uptake was linked to diminished perceived threats (OR = 0.540; p < .001), fewer perceived benefits (OR = 0.762; p < .001), weaker perceived behavior control (OR = 0.429; p < .001), and heightened perceptions of barriers (OR = 2.001; p < .001).

conclusionResults underscore the significance and utility of theoretical constructs in understanding variations in vaccine uptake levels. They highlight the importance of relying on well-established theories to grasp decision-making mechanisms and to shape suggestions for behavior modification. Consequently, to boost vaccine acceptance, public health campaigns should focus on reshaping risk perceptions, addressing obstacles, emphasizing the advantages of getting vaccinated, and fostering a sense of self-efficacy within target communities.

Indexed as

COVID-19COVID-19 VaccinesHealth Belief ModelPatient Acceptance of Health CareVaccination HesitancyAdolescentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSierra LeoneSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultZimbabweCOVID-19 VaccinesBehavior change theoryCOVID-19 vaccine uptakeSierra LeoneZimbabwe

Identifiers

PMID39905338
PMCPMC11796035

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.