193 Ebola research https://doi.org/10.12980/apjtd.7.2017D6-386 ©2017 by the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease. All rights reserved. Public acceptance of a hypothetical Ebola virus vaccine in Aceh, Indonesia: A hospital-based survey Harapan Harapan 1,2,3* , Samsul Anwar 4 , Muhammad Nazli Ferdian 1 , Salwiyadi Salwiyadi 1 , Aga Sunanda Imanda 1 , Roully Azhars 1 , Dheni Fidiyah Fika 1 , Darul Ilham 1 , Arya Utama Timur 1 , Juwita Sahputri 1 , Reza Maulana 1 , Hendra Kurniawan 5 , Maduka Donatus Ughasoro 6 1 Medical Research Unit, School of Medicine, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia 2 Tropical Disease Centre, School of Medicine, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia 3 Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia 4 Department of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia 5 Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia 6 Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu P.M.B 01129, Nigeria Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2017; 7(4): 193-198 Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease journal homepage: http://www.apjtcm.com *Corresponding author: Harapan Harapan, Medical Research Unit, School of Medicine, Syiah Kuala University, Jl. T. Tanoeh Abe, Darussalam, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia. Tel/Fax: +62 (0) 651 7551843 E-mail: harapan@unsyiah.ac.id The study was performed according to the Helsinki declaration and approved by Ethical Clearance Committee of the School of Medicine, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Informed written consent was obtained from participants. The journal implements double-blind peer review practiced by specially invited international editorial board members. 1. Introduction Ebola virus disease (EVD) has the potential of causing high mortality in human population. The worst outbreak since the first EVD case of 1976 was reported during the 2014’s epidemic[1]. During the epidemic, a total of 27 741 people were affected, with 41% case-fatality rate[2]. In an effort to develop an effective control strategy, the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with pharmaceutical firms embarked on the development of Ebola virus vaccines (EVV)[3,4]. After a few clinical trials, a vaccine has been found to be efficacious and effective[5]. In view of the recent advances in EVV and the global impact of the recent outbreak in West African countries, it is obvious that introduction of the EVV is imminent once approved for public use. Although the mode and pattern of EVD introduction are not clear now, areas affected by the last outbreak will be among the priority areas. However, the EVV will also be introduced in other areas with low risk of Ebola virus outbreak such as Indonesia and other archipelago countries. No case of EVD was reported in Indonesia, but the country is on a major travel route as well as near Philippines which had reported EVD[6]. This raises concern on acceptance towards EVV in such areas that are considered low-risk areas. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the acceptance of a hypothetical EVV by inhabitants of Aceh, Indonesia. The outcome of this study will give insight to challenges that may encounter in the course of EVV introduction. ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the acceptance towards a hypothetical Ebola virus vaccine (EVV) and associated factors in a non-affected country, Indonesia. Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in four regencies of Aceh, Indonesia. A set of pre-tested questionnaires was used to obtain information on acceptance towards EVV and a range of explanatory variables. Associations between EVV acceptance and explanatory variables were tested using multi-steps logistic regression analysis and the Spearman's rank correlation. Results: Participants who had knowledge on Ebola virus disease (EVD) were 45.3% (192/424) and none of the participants achieved 80% correct answers on the knowledge regarding to EVD. About 73% of participants expressed their willingness to receive the EVV. Education attainment, occupation, monthly income, have heard regarding to EVD previously, socio- economic level, attitude towards vaccination practice and knowledge regarding to EVD were associated significantly with acceptance towards EVV in univariate analysis (P < 0.05). In the final multivariate model, socio-economic level, attitude towards vaccination practice and knowledge regarding to EVD were the independent explanatory variables for EVV acceptance. Conclusions: The knowledge of EVD was low, but this minimally affected the acceptance towards EVV. However, to facilitate optimal uptake of EVV, dissemination of vaccine-related information prior to its introduction is required. Article history: Received 24 Oct 2016 Received in revised form 3 Nov, 2nd revised form 4 Nov, 3rd revised form 14 Dec 2016 Accepted 22 Feb 2017 Available online 14 Apr 2017 Keywords: Ebola virus Ebola virus disease Ebola vaccine Vaccine acceptance Indonesia