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Identifying COVID-19 Related Concern Patterns: A Mixed-Methods Study of Vaccine Decision-Making in Zambia

Creative Commons 'BY-NC-SA' version 4.0 license
Abstract

Vaccination is one of the most effective public health strategies, yet concerns about vaccine safety, and mistrust in institutions influenced acceptance in Zambia, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. This practicum examined how adults in Lusaka Province, Zambia prioritize COVID-19 vaccine concerns and how these concerns shape willingness to accept other novel vaccines. Using the COVID-19 Best-Worst Scaling (BWS) dataset, this project identified five distinct concern profiles that reflect different patterns of beliefs, motivations, and information needs. A focused literature search identified 14 relevant sources provided context for understanding vaccine hesitancy in the country. Descriptive analyses showed meaningful differences in demographic variables across profiles. Regression analyses demonstrated that some profiles were less likely to express high intention to accept future vaccines, even after accounting for demographic and behavioral factors. These findings indicate that vaccine concerns in Zambia are not uniform but cluster into recognizable patterns that influence intention. Understanding these profiles can help guide more targeted, context-specific communication strategies aimed at strengthening vaccine confidence and improving uptake of upcoming novel vaccines in Zambia and similar low-and middle-income settings.