Intention to Receive COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Community in Motta Town, North West Ethiopia, 2022: Application of Theory of Planned Behavior.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted global health, with vaccine hesitancy emerging as a major obstacle to controlling the disease. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, many individuals remain reluctant to receive them. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine intention among the community in Motta town, Ethiopia, using the theory of planned behavior. OBJECTIVES: To assess intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine and associated factors among the community in Motta town, North West Ethiopia. METHOD: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 630 unvaccinated adults in Motta town, North West Ethiopia, from May 15 to June 15, 2022. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were collected by using interviewer-administered questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. In the final model, a confidence interval (95%) and a p value <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULT: Overall, 310 (49.2%; 95% CI: 45.2%-53.0%) participants intended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The mean score of intention was 12.38 with SD ± 5.300. Religion (Muslim) (B = 0.862, p < 0.004), educational status (no formal education) (B = -1.065, p < 0.029), primary school education (B = -0.879, p < 0.038), attitude (B = 0.170, p < 0.000), subjective norm (B = 0.027, p < 0.001), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) (B = 0.029, p < 0.004) were significant factors associated with vaccination intention. CONCLUSION: Approximately half of the unvaccinated community members intended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Religion, educational status, attitude, subjective norm, and PBC were significant predictors of vaccination intention. Public health interventions should focus on improving positive attitudes, strengthening community support for vaccination, enhancing individuals' confidence in accessing vaccination, and addressing access-related barriers to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake.