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Most countries are currently gravitating towards vaccination as mainstay strategy to quell COVID-19 transmission. Between December 2020 and January 2021, we conducted a follow-up online survey in Somalia to monitor adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures, and COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Adherence was measured via a composite adherence score based on four measures (physical distancing, face mask use, hand hygiene, and mouth covering when coughing/sneezing). We analyzed 4543 responses (mean age: 23.5 ± 6.4 years, 62.4% males). The mean adherence score during this survey was lower than the score during a similar survey in April 2020. A total of 76.8% of respondents were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Flu-like symptoms were more frequently reported in the current survey compared to previous surveys. Multiple logistic regression showed that participants who experienced flu-like symptoms, those in the healthcare sector, and those with higher adherence scores had higher odds for vaccine acceptability while being a female reduced the willingness to be vaccinated. In conclusion, our data suggest that the decreasing adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures may have caused increased flu-like symptoms over time. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Somalia is relatively high but could be improved by addressing factors that contribute to vaccine hesitancy.
Mohammed Ahmed; Robert Colebunders; Abdi Gele; Abdiqani Farah; Shariff Osman; Ibraahim Guled; Aweis Abdullahi; Ahmed Hussein; Abdiaziz Ali; Joseph Siewe Fodjo. COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptability and Adherence to Preventive Measures in Somalia: Results of an Online Survey. Vaccines 2021, 9, 543 .
AMA StyleMohammed Ahmed, Robert Colebunders, Abdi Gele, Abdiqani Farah, Shariff Osman, Ibraahim Guled, Aweis Abdullahi, Ahmed Hussein, Abdiaziz Ali, Joseph Siewe Fodjo. COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptability and Adherence to Preventive Measures in Somalia: Results of an Online Survey. Vaccines. 2021; 9 (6):543.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMohammed Ahmed; Robert Colebunders; Abdi Gele; Abdiqani Farah; Shariff Osman; Ibraahim Guled; Aweis Abdullahi; Ahmed Hussein; Abdiaziz Ali; Joseph Siewe Fodjo. 2021. "COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptability and Adherence to Preventive Measures in Somalia: Results of an Online Survey." Vaccines 9, no. 6: 543.
Following the COVID-19 outbreak in Somalia, strict preventive measures were implemented by the government. We assessed adherence to the government recommendations via two consecutive online cross-sectional surveys between April and July 2020. A five-point adherence score was constructed based on self-reported observance of five preventive measures (physical distancing, face mask use, hand hygiene, mouth covering when coughing/sneezing, and avoidance of touching the face). 4124 and 4703 responses were analyzed during the first and second survey, respectively. The mean adherence score decreased from 3.54 ± 1.5 in the first survey to 3.40 ± 1.6 during the second survey; p < 0.001. More participants experienced at least one flu-like symptom during the second survey (38.2%) compared to the first (16.2%); however, the proportion of positive COVID-19 tests in the first (26.9%) and second survey (26.5%) was similar. The ordinal logistic regression model identified the following predictors for high adherence scores: female gender (odds ratio (OR) = 1.715 (1.581–1.861), p < 0.001); being a healthcare worker/student (OR = 2.180 (2.000–2.377), p < 0.001); obtaining COVID-19 information from official sources (OR = 1.460 (1.341–1.589), p < 0.001); and having postgraduate education (OR = 1.679 (1.220–2.307), p < 0.001). Conversely, obtaining COVID-19 information from social media and residing in urban settings were associated with lower adherence. Targeted and context-specific adaptations of the COVID-19 response may be required in Somalia.
Mohammed A. M. Ahmed; Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo; Abdi A. Gele; Abdiqani A. Farah; Shariff Osman; Ibraahim Abdullahi Guled; Abdiaziz Mohamed Ali; Robert Colebunders. COVID-19 in Somalia: Adherence to Preventive Measures and Evolution of the Disease Burden. Pathogens 2020, 9, 735 .
AMA StyleMohammed A. M. Ahmed, Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Abdi A. Gele, Abdiqani A. Farah, Shariff Osman, Ibraahim Abdullahi Guled, Abdiaziz Mohamed Ali, Robert Colebunders. COVID-19 in Somalia: Adherence to Preventive Measures and Evolution of the Disease Burden. Pathogens. 2020; 9 (9):735.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMohammed A. M. Ahmed; Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo; Abdi A. Gele; Abdiqani A. Farah; Shariff Osman; Ibraahim Abdullahi Guled; Abdiaziz Mohamed Ali; Robert Colebunders. 2020. "COVID-19 in Somalia: Adherence to Preventive Measures and Evolution of the Disease Burden." Pathogens 9, no. 9: 735.