A ACCEPTANCE OF A COVID-19 VACCINE IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Several vaccines are being administered in response to the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This study was conducted to assess the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine, among the general population in south west Nigeria.

Methodology: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between March 25 and April 26, 2021. Participants were asked if they would accept a free vaccine for COVID-19. Using a logistic regression model, we assessed the associations between sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to COVID-19 information, or perceived risk of infection with acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine.

Results: We analyze of 531 participants with a mean age of 31.14 ± 11.46 years (17- 65 years) and male to female ration of 1:1.1. Forty percent of the participants were married, 9.23% had secondary education and 78.9% had tertiary education while 11.86% had postgraduate education. Only 10.17% of the participants had done a confirmatory test to check if they had COVID-19 and 2.8 % were positive and treated.  Eighty percent of the participants have heard of COVID-19 vaccine with majority (76.8%) getting the information via social media. Overall acceptance of respondents toward COVID-19 vaccine was positive in 77% and negative in 23%.  With respect to the risk of the vaccine outweighing the benefits of the vaccine, 11% specially agreed to this, 23.7% barely agreed, 23.4% disagreed and 31.4% specially disagreed. No significant difference was found in the attitude towards   vaccine acceptance and age, educational status, religion and occupation.

Conclusion: Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine was 77%. Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine  was associated with high level awareness and  high perceived risk of  COVID-19 complications.

Keywords: Acceptance, COVID-19, vaccine