Knowledge, attitudes and modelling of refusal to vaccinate children by users of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in Côte d'Ivoire during COVID-19.

Authors

  • Meless Djedjro Franck Renaud Université Felix Houphouët Boigny
  • Yassi Léonce Olivier Assi Institut National d’Hygiène Publique
  • N’Dri Kouamé Mathias Département épidémiologie et santé des populations, Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire
  • Attoh Toure Harvey Institut National d’Hygiène Publique
  • Amin Ncho Christophe Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/rasp.v7i2.11

Keywords:

Expanded Programme on Immunisation, vaccine refusal, predictive factors

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected perceptions of childhood vaccination in Côte d'Ivoire, leading to disruptions in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). This study aims to identify factors associated with vaccination refusal during this period. This study is based on a descriptive and analytical survey conducted among 422 users of the Expanded Program on Immunization between April 26 and May 14, 2021 at the National Institute of Public Hygiene. The target population consisted of parents of children aged 0 to 11 months, attending the center for at least six months. Data were collected using a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, attitudes, and perceptions towards COVID-19 and vaccination. A descriptive analysis, supplemented by logistic regression, was carried out to identify knowledge levels, attitudes, and model factors associated with vaccination refusal. The results reveal that 46.68% of parents were hesitant about vaccination. Geographic variations were observed: general fear of vaccination predominated in Abobo, Yopougon, and Port-Bouët, while fear of substitution by the COVID-19 vaccine was more pronounced in Cocody and Treichville. Six factors were identified as predictors of refusal, including fear of side effects (aOR = 3.63) and fear of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine (aOR = 6.57). These results underscore the importance of strengthening communication to rebuild vaccine confidence.

Author Biography

  • Amin Ncho Christophe, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny

    Département de Chimie Analytique - Bromatologie, Chimie générale, Chimie Minérale, UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques

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Published

2025-10-14

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2025): July - December 2025

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Meless Djedjro Franck Renaud, Yassi Léonce Olivier Assi, N’Dri Kouamé Mathias, Attoh Toure Harvey, Amin Ncho Christophe

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How to Cite

Knowledge, attitudes and modelling of refusal to vaccinate children by users of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in Côte d’Ivoire during COVID-19. (2025). Revue Africaine Des Sciences Sociales Et De La Santé Publique, 7(2), 169-179. https://doi.org/10.4314/rasp.v7i2.11