Gender/sex differences in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among refugee, immigrant and migrant populations: An equity-oriented systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Background: Sex and gender differences can impact vaccine acceptance through various mechanisms within migrant populations.
Objective: To investigate whether COVID-19 vaccine acceptance differ by gender/sex
Methods: Five databases were searched to identify the relevant observational studies. We performed random effects meta-analysis to determine aggregate odds ratios of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among men compared to women.
Findings: Thirty studies met inclusion criteria. No significant difference was found in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance between immigrant and refugee men and women (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.92, 1.35). Post-hoc analysis revealed higher acceptance odds among refugee men than women (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.47) after excluding studies with a large proportion of general population. The aggregate odds ratio in undocumented migrant sub-population indicated no statistically significant difference (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.25, 1.05).
Conclusion: Overall, no statistically significant difference was found in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance between men and women among migrant populations.