Abstract:
Background: Universities are places where students live and study in close contact to each other. Nowadays, the
foundations of this particular group have been affected significantly by the rapid spread of the coronavirus
disease 2019. The severity of the COVID-19 pandemic has demanded the emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines.
However, there is still limited evidence in COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and perceived barriers among some
subgroups, including university students. This study aimed to assess vaccine acceptance, associated factors, and
perceived barriers among university students, Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2021 at Debre Berhan University among 423 students.
The participants were selected using simple random sampling technique. A semi-structured, pretested, and selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Multivariable logistic-regression model was fitted to
identify factors associated with vaccine acceptance. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and its
p-value of ≤0.05 was used to declare significant association.
Results: The proportion of the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was 69.3% (95% CI: 65, 74). Being knowledgeable
(AOR: 2.43, CI: 1.57, 3.77), being a health science student (AOR: 2.25, CI: 1.43, 3.54), and being in a family
practicing COVID-19 prevention (AOR: 1.73, CI: 1.06, 2.81) were found to be factors associated with COVID-19
vaccine acceptance.
Conclusion: Though, this study found a 69.3% acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine, there were noticeable perceived
barriers and related factors in vaccine acceptance hesitancy. Thus, health education and communication
regarding the vaccine are very crucial to alleviate the identified barriers
