COVID-19 Vaccination Status among Religious and Non-religious Jamaicans: Are there differences based on Age, Gender, and Religious and Non-religious Affiliations?
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Abstract
Introduction: There is still a need for a greater number of individuals to be vaccinated if we are to realize the true effect of vaccination on the COVID-19 virus. Vaccination as a Public Health measure to control or eradicate diseases is a longstanding effective approach. The COVID-19 vaccine is available worldwide to both religious and non-religious persons, but there is hesitancy on both sides. Some religious persons also believe that the vaccine is the Mark of the Beast mentioned in the Bible.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the level of COVID-19 vaccination among religious and non-religious persons in Jamaica and to find out their views on the Covid 19 vaccine.
Materials &Methods: A descriptive cross- sectional convenience sampling design was used to collect data from religious and non-religious Jamaicans on the COVID-19 vaccination. The data for this research was collected using an online standardized questionnaire created on a web base standardized survey, which consisted of eleven closed ended questions. The retrieved data were stored then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows version 25.0.
Results: Almost 52% of Jamaicans indicated that they were unvaccinated compared to those vaccinated at 48%. A higher COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy existed for Judaism (100%, n=5), Hindi (87.5%, n=7), Islam (85.7%, n=6), Rastafari (85.7%, n=36), young people ages 18-26 years (56%, n=228), and non-religious Jamaicans (73.4%, n=105) compared to Christians (45.9%, n=416).
Conclusions: Vaccine status among religious and non-religious Jamaicans vary based on age, gender and religious affiliation. Younger Jamaicans are less likely to be vaccinated compared to the elderly population. Religious Christians are the most likely to be vaccinated among the Jamaican population with females at a higher rate of vaccination. An opportunity exists for the Jamaican government to continue building trust among the population as vaccination initiatives continue across the island.