Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake and regret among healthcare workers in Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Background: COVID-19 is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease that was declared a pandemic. Vaccination is considered one of the most effective methods of protection against this viral disease. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that contribute to the uptake or lack of uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine as well as identifying factors associated with post-vaccination regret that some healthcare providers may experience following being vaccinated in Duhok province in Kurdistan region of Iraq. Methods: This research was conducted as an observational cross-sectional study that took place from 1 January 2024 to 1 September 2024. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was employed to distribute questionnaires among healthcare workers within major hospitals in Duhok province. Results: Of the 502 participants, a total of 405 participants (76.05%) reported receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination rates were higher among males (84.8%) than females (76.6%) (p = 0.02), and highest among clinicians (90.7%) compared to other occupations. Participants with more than 10 years of experience (92.4%) and those with comorbidities (91%) were more likely to be vaccinated. Regarding regret, 100 (24.7%) of vaccinated participants reported post-vaccination regret. Regret was more common among nurses (32.6%) and participants with secondary education (31.4%), while clinicians (11.1%) and PhD holders (16.7%) reported lower levels of regret. Years of experience was also significantly associated with regret, with the highest level among those with ≥10 years (30.4%). Conclusion: These findings emphasize the need for targeted strategies to address barriers to vaccine uptake and manage concerns about vaccination among healthcare providers, and gain a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of post-vaccination regret, ultimately enhancing public health efforts in the region.