COVID-19 Vaccination Insights in Kurdistan Region

In late 2019, a health issue arose in Wuhan, China. Patients showed unusual findings in their medical tests, like a specific appearance in their lungs and lower white blood cell and platelet counts. This led to investigations by health authorities. By January 2020, a new virus named coronavirus was identified as the cause of a respiratory illness that was spreading rapidly.

The virus, later known as SARS-CoV-2, was linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was found that coronaviruses could also affect animals. By January 9, 2020, health officials confirmed this virus was responsible for an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan. By the end of January, COVID-19 had spread to 19 other countries, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to name the illness caused by the virus as COVID-19.

Most people infected with COVID-19 experienced mild to moderate symptoms and recovered without special treatment. However, others became very sick and needed medical care. Anyone could get sick from COVID-19, regardless of age. The virus spreads through tiny droplets from an infected person's mouth or nose when they cough, sneeze, or talk. The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to be informed about it, know how it spreads, take precautions, and get vaccinated.

As of February 2023, millions of COVID-19 cases and deaths have been reported worldwide. Vaccination has been a key tool in combating the virus, with billions of doses administered globally.

#The COVID-19 Outbreak

The COVID-19 outbreak spread quickly around the world, including Iraq. Researchers continued to investigate the origins of the virus. COVID-19 symptoms can resemble those of the common cold or flu. Symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after infection and include fever, chills, headaches, runny nose, body aches, nausea, and vomiting. Some patients may also experience loss of smell and taste or diarrhea. Most people do not require medical help, but some develop serious symptoms that do need treatment.

To reduce the transmission of the virus, it's important for people to be well-informed about the disease and how it spreads. As of late February 2023, more than 757 million COVID-19 cases were reported globally, along with over 6.8 million deaths.

The most effective way to protect oneself is through vaccination. Vaccines are safe and effective, working with the body’s natural defenses to build protection against specific infections without causing the disease.

#Study Introduction

This study focuses on COVID-19 vaccination knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. There have been numerous studies on KAP related to various infections, but little has been done specifically on COVID-19 vaccination in this area.

The findings of this study aim to guide policymakers in improving public health interventions related to COVID-19 and vaccination efforts.

#Study Design and Methods

The survey received ethical approval from Zakho Medical University in Iraq. It was a cross-sectional study conducted from November 1, 2022, to March 1, 2023. Participants from various regions of Kurdistan were invited to join the study. Before starting, the goals of the study were explained to them, and their consent was obtained.

A total of 759 randomly selected participants were interviewed in person. Their ages ranged from 18 to 75 years, with a mean age of 32.95 years. Among the participants, there were 362 males and 397 females.

#Survey Questionnaire

The questionnaire had three parts. The first part consisted of general questions about the participants' demographics and health. This included age, gender, marital status, education, occupation, smoking status, past COVID-19 infection, and sources of information about COVID-19 vaccination.

The second part had eight yes or no questions about their knowledge of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as whether they had heard of the vaccine and its safety.

The third part included six statements about attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines, which participants could agree, disagree, or choose neutral.

#Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

The study included individuals living in the Kurdistan region over the age of 18, regardless of background. Those under 18 or with incomplete data were excluded from the study.

#Ethical Approval

The survey received approval from the ethical and scientific committee at Zakho College of Medicine. Ethical considerations ensure participants know how their data will be used, respecting their rights, including confidentiality.

#Demographic Characteristics of Participants

The study gathered data from 759 participants across the Kurdistan region. The average age was 32.95 years, and around 52.3% were males. More than half were married, about 30% had a primary education or less, while 37% had an intermediate or secondary education, and 33% held higher degrees.

Additionally, 25.3% were employed, and only 18.3% had chronic medical conditions. Over 70% of participants were non-smokers, and about 55% reported having contracted COVID-19 at some point.

Interestingly, 68% of participants trusted the COVID-19 vaccine and believed it to be safe.

#Sources of Information

Regarding sources of information about COVID-19 vaccines, 34% of participants trusted social media, while 26% relied on television, 21.8% on Healthcare providers, and smaller percentages on government and friends. Only 3.43% trusted scientific papers.

#Reasons for Vaccine Hesitancy

The survey also explored why some individuals were hesitant to get vaccinated. Roughly 37% cited lack of time, 29% were unsure about vaccine safety, 18.6% believed the vaccine would not work, and 14.5% were afraid of injections.

#Attitudes Towards Vaccination

A significant majority (74.04%) agreed on the importance of vaccination to protect against COVID-19. However, 59.55% expressed concerns about side effects, and two-thirds indicated they would refuse vaccination even after it was approved.

Most participants (88.93%) believed the government would provide vaccines for free to all citizens. However, about 5.14% disagreed with this statement.

#Knowledge About COVID-19 Vaccines

Almost all participants (99.60%) were aware of the COVID-19 vaccine. About 70.22% believed in its safety, while 62.58% thought it could protect them from COVID-19. Most (73.25%) acknowledged that vaccination does not guarantee immunity, and 66.93% believed that the vaccine could be administered to someone who had COVID-19 before.

Approximately 86.17% were aware of potential side effects, and 96.31% knew that the vaccine required multiple doses.

#Global Context

COVID-19 remains a serious global health issue, with new cases and deaths reported daily. Vaccination plays a crucial role in controlling the outbreak. It is essential to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of vaccines through international clinical trials involving diverse populations.

Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding COVID-19 vaccines is vital for developing effective public health strategies and ensuring successful vaccination programs.

#Conclusion

This study reveals that while most participants in the Kurdistan region recognize the importance of COVID-19 vaccination, there are still significant hesitations and concerns. Many rely on social media and other non-scientific sources for information, which could lead to misunderstandings about vaccine safety and effectiveness.

Increasing trust in vaccines and addressing misinformation are essential to improving vaccination rates and controlling the spread of COVID-19. Public health initiatives should focus on providing clear, accurate information about vaccines and their role in protecting individuals and communities.