Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination Intention Among the General Population of Urmia City: an Application of Health Belief Model

Vaccination stands as a paramount achievement in global public health and a key strategy to control COVID-19. Vaccine acceptance is a pivotal determinant of the success or failure of vaccination programs. Leveraging health education models and theories to predict behavioral intention, this study aimed to investigate the determinants of the intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among the general population of Urmia using the Health Belief Model (HBM).

This descriptive-analytical study employed a cross-sectional approach among 575 individuals aged over 18 residing in Urmia. Sampling was conducted through the snowball and convenience sampling methods. Data was collected using a valid and reliable electronic researcher-made questionnaire comprising four sections: demographic characteristics, knowledge, HBM constructs, and intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 16.

The HBM effectively explained 67% of the variance in the intention to vaccinate against COVID-19. Within the model's constructs, individuals' perceived self-efficacy (β = 0.505, P = 0.001) emerged as the strongest predictor of the intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Other influencing factors included perceived susceptibility (β = 0.158, P = 0.001) and perceived barriers (β = -0.109, P = 0.001).

Given the robust predictive ability of the HBM for the intention to vaccinate against COVID-19, this model can be utilized in educational and behavioral programs and interventions. Special emphasis should be placed on effective constructs, particularly self-efficacy, to enhance citizens' willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.