Background- The COVID-19 vaccination initiative was launched in India on January 2021, with an initial focus on administering doses to frontline healthcare workers during the first phase, followed by a gradual expansion of coverage to encompass the broader population. The issue of vaccine hesitancy among indigenous populations in India with regards to COVID-19 presents a significant challenge. The indigenous population's reluctance to receive COVID-19 vaccines was influenced by rumors surrounding their development, efficacy, and reliability. India constitutes of 8.6% of ethnic population and among them 75 ethnic groups belong to a PVTGs. There may be many socio-economic, bio-cultural and ethno-demographical factors which leads vaccine hesitancy among the primitive tribal group of India. The present study aims to understand the vaccination status among the Totos, and find out the different socio-economic and ethno-demographic factors which influenced the vaccination status.
Methods-A cross-sectional study design was adapted to conducted research among 952 Totos in Totopara,West Bengal by using pre-tested semi-structured schedule. Participant's socio-demographics, willingness-to-participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials, intention to accept COVID-19 vaccine were recorded. Data were analyzed descriptively, and a binary logistic regression model was used to investigate factors associated with the acceptance status of the vaccine.
Results- Among all the participants, 69% were having positive status of vaccination. Age, marital status, Education and Occupational status were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination status. Younger age group (18-44 years) were almost 2 times more vaccinated (P=0.032) compared to elderly population (60-95 years), married individuals were 2.5 times more vaccinated (P<0.0001) compared to unmarried participants, literate individuals were 0.3 times less vaccinated (P<0.0001) compared to non-literate participants and employed population was nearly 6 times more vaccinated (P<0.0001) compared to unemployed ones.
Conclusion-Increasing knowledge regarding COVID-19 is required to improve vaccine acceptance rates. Interventions addressing socio-demographic determinants related to COVID-19 vaccination should help improve acceptance.
