Attitudes and acceptance of vaccination against neglected tropical diseases: A multi-country study in Asia

This study aims to explore the willingness of individuals to be vaccinated against NTDs in Asian countries and China. Between June and December 2023, an anonymous cross-sectional survey was carried out in five Asian countries alongside China. Overall, 48.4% indicated being somewhat willing and 29.2% expressing extreme willingness to receive NTDs vaccination. High attitude scores (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 11.35–1.75) was associated with higher willingness to be vaccinated against NTDs. The odds of accepting the NTDs vaccine increased among individuals without occupational exposure to NTDs (aOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.27–1.68). Those residing in very clean environments exhibited heightened odds of willingness (aOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 2.10–4.11), whereas individuals in somewhat dirty environments demonstrated reduced odds of willingness (aOR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.56–0.98) compared to the baseline group (very dirty local environment). Moreover, a higher score in sanitation facilities also correlated with increased odds of willingness to receive the NTDs vaccine (aOR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.21–1.64). The study highlighted key strategies for improving NTDs vaccine uptake in Asian countries, including China, such as fostering positive attitudes toward the vaccine and enhancing perception of infection risks.

本研究旨在探究亚洲国家及中国民众针对被忽视热带病（Neglected Tropical Diseases，简称NTDs）的疫苗接种意愿。2023年6月至12月期间，研究团队在中国与另外五个亚洲国家开展了匿名横断面调查。整体而言，48.4%的受访者表示较为愿意接种NTDs疫苗，29.2%的受访者表示极度愿意接种该疫苗。较高的态度得分与更高的NTDs疫苗接种意愿显著相关（校正比值比（adjusted odds ratio，简称aOR）=1.54，95%置信区间（confidence interval，简称CI）：11.35–1.75）。无被忽视热带病职业暴露史的人群，其接种NTDs疫苗的比值比更高（aOR=1.46，95% CI:1.27–1.68）。以当地环境极度脏乱的人群为基线组，居住在环境极为整洁的人群其接种意愿的发生比值更高（aOR=2.94，95% CI:2.10–4.11）；而居住在环境较为脏乱的人群，其接种意愿的发生比值则相对更低（aOR=0.74，95% CI:0.56–0.98）。此外，卫生设施得分更高的人群，其接种NTDs疫苗的意愿也显著更高（aOR=1.41，95% CI:1.21–1.64）。本研究明确了包括中国在内的亚洲国家提升NTDs疫苗接种率的关键策略，包括培育民众对疫苗的积极态度，以及强化其对感染风险的认知水平。