Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Among Breastfeeding Women in Abidjan, in 2023

<i>Background</i>. In 2022, the WHO recommended the vaccination of breastfeeding women against COVID-19. In the same year, the Minister of Health sent a referral to the National Committee of Independent Experts for Vaccination and Vaccines of Côte d'Ivoire (CNEIV-CI) for its opinion on the vaccination of breastfeeding women against COVID-19 in the country. The CNEIV-CI recommended the vaccination of breastfeeding women against COVID-19. <i>Objective</i>. To identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination among breastfeeding women. <i>Method.</i> We conducted a cross-sectional survey. The study population consisted of breastfeeding women. Data were collected, using a questionnaire, in health centers during a direct interview with breastfeeding women who came for their child's vaccination. The dependent variables were COVID-19 vaccination status and vaccination intention after weaning, and the independent variables were age, education level, religion, living with a partner, and district of residence. A multivariate analysis, by logistic regression, was performed to search for factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination status, on the one hand, and with vaccination intention after weaning, on the other hand. The measure of association was the adjusted Odds Ratio (ajOR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) and a degree of significance p < 0.05. The data were analyzed using SPSS. <i>Results</i>. A total of 1009 breastfeeding women were surveyed. The respondents median age was 29 years; the minimum age was 16 years and the maximum age was 44 years. 49 % of respondents were vaccinated. Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination status among breastfeeding women were education level (ajOR = 8.57; 95 % CI: 4.92 – 14.94), living with a partner (ajOR = 4.75; 95 % CI: 3.34 – 6.76), and age group (ajOR = 1.63; 95 % CI: 1.02 – 2.6). <i>Conclusion.</i> Awareness-raising among women on the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination must continue. Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination status were living with a partner, education level, and age group. Qualitative studies could be carried out to understand the underlying reasons behind non-vaccination among breastfeeding women.