Factors associated with covid-19 vh in fragile and conflict settings: Beni Health Zone, Eastern Drc

Coronavirus Disease 2019 remains a serious health threat until it is declared eradicated worldwide;it can spread rapidly and mutate into new variants of concern. Although vaccines have been early available, vaccination has been hindered by COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, including in conflict and fragile regions.Yet, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy remains poorly understood in these settings. This study aimed to determine the scope of and identify associated factors to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Beni city. As of August 2022, we conducted a multicenter cross-sectional population-based study with a sample of 1269 household heads in Beni city (Eastern DR Congo). We used a questionnaire for data collecting and performed descriptive and analytical analysis using SPSS and STATA softwares. Results indicated low definitive acceptance (7.81%), relatively high definitive refusal (27.93%), and high indecision (61.5%) (Not sure and probably volunteer) of COVID-19 vaccines. Trust in the government, trust in health authorities/workers, knowledge level, education level, beliefs, and religion were associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Interventions and policies can leverage on these findings to contextualize COVID-19 response in Beni health zone.