Experiences and perceptions of COVID-19 infection and vaccination among Palestinian refugees in Jerash camp and Jordanian citizens: a comparative cross-sectional study by face-to-face interviews

Al-Hatamleh MAI 1 , Hatmal MM 2 , Mustafa SHF 3 , Alzu'bi M 4 , AlSou'b AF 5 , Abughanam SNS 6 Show all authors , Olaimat AN 7 , Kateeb ET 8 , Mohamud R 9

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, 16150, Malaysia
  • 2 Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330127, 13133, Zarqa, Jordan. mamon@hu.edu.jo
  • 3 Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, 11942, Amman, Jordan
  • 4 Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, 13133, P.O. Box 330127, Zarqa, Jordan
  • 5 Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied University, 19117, Al-Salt, Jordan
  • 6 Faculty of Medicine, Mutah University, 61710, Karak, Jordan
  • 7 Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330127, 13133, Zarqa, Jordan
  • 8 Oral Health Research and Promotion Unit, Faculty of Dentistry, Al-Quds University, P.O. Box 51000, Jerusalem, Palestine
  • 9 Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, 16150, Malaysia. rohimahm@usm.my
Infect Dis Poverty, 2022 Dec 13;11(1):123.
PMID: 36510264 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-022-01047-y

Abstract

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 vaccination, the access to vaccines has been unequal among countries and individuals, for example low-income countries displayed significant low levels of vaccination. Furthermore, most refugees are living in developing low-income countries which struggling to access the essential health-care services including vaccination. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the experiences and perceptions of COVID-19 infection and vaccination among Palestine refugees in Jerash camp compared to resident Jordanian citizens.

METHODS: A face-to-face interview-based comparative cross-sectional study was carried out among Palestine refugees in Jerash camp located in northern Jordan and Jordanian citizens from different cities in Jordan from October, 2021 to March, 2022. A Chi-square test was used to determine the differences in the experiences and perceptions of COVID-19 infection and vaccination between Palestinian refugees and resident Jordanian citizens. Logistic regression analysis was performed to predict factors associated with the beliefs, barriers and hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines.

RESULTS: The total number of participants was 992, with 501 (50.5%) Palestinian refugees and 491 (49.5%) Jordanian citizens. Most participants (64.1%) who have never been tested for COVID-19 were from the refugees (P 

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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