ASSESSMENT OF ACCEPTANCE OF COVID-19 VACCINE AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG RESIDENTS IN BENIN CITY
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Abstract
Background: The global coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 which has been a cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) on a global scale. Despite the burden of the disease, there has not been any known treatment against SARS-COV-2. Vaccination is considered a crucial measure for controlling the spread of the virus and this subsequently led to the development of several vaccines. Despite the efforts made to achieve successful COVID-19 vaccine use, a major hindrance was related to vaccine hesitancy of the approved vaccine. Objectives: To determine the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine and its associated factors among residents in Benin City in order to make recommendations to key stakeholders to ensure improved uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was carried out among residents in Egor, Ovia North-East, and Oredo Local Government Areas of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It was conducted from March 2021 to May 2023. Six hundred and ten residents were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected from the respondents using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 25. The level of significance of all statistical associations was set at p < 0.05. Results: From the 610 respondents interviewed, males 328 (53.8%) and females 282 (46.2%) with an average age of 33.8± 13.4years. The majority of them were Christians 533 (87.43%) and 367 (60.2%) were single. Three hundred and ninety-nine (65.4%) respondents had a
tertiary level of education. The mean household income was ₦52,244 ± 87091 and about two-third of them earned < ₦100,000. From the responses, 358 (58.7%) and 233 (38.2%) had good knowledge of the COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines respectively while 252 (41.3%) xv and 377 (61.8%) of the respondents had poor knowledge of the COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine respectively. Four hundred and twenty-three respondents (69.3%) had a poor perception of risk while 187 (30.7%) had a good perception of the risk of COVID-19 (63.4%) had a good perception of COVID-19 vaccine and 223 (36.6%) had a poor perception of
COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 415 (68%) respondents were willing to take up the COVID-19 vaccine if offered. Two hundred and forty-nine respondents (40.8%) have received the COVID-19 vaccine. The factors found to affect the uptake of the vaccine were age, skill level, level of education, knowledge of COVID-19, and willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusion: The study showed that the majority of the respondents had good knowledge and poor knowledge of COVID-19 and COVID-19 respectively. Over three- quarter of respondents had a poor perception risk of COVID-19. About two-third were willing to take
up the vaccine if offered. The government should provide accurate, up-to-date information about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. They should work with appropriate stakeholders to create awareness campaigns that address vaccine hesitancy.
tertiary level of education. The mean household income was ₦52,244 ± 87091 and about two-third of them earned < ₦100,000. From the responses, 358 (58.7%) and 233 (38.2%) had good knowledge of the COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines respectively while 252 (41.3%) xv and 377 (61.8%) of the respondents had poor knowledge of the COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine respectively. Four hundred and twenty-three respondents (69.3%) had a poor perception of risk while 187 (30.7%) had a good perception of the risk of COVID-19 (63.4%) had a good perception of COVID-19 vaccine and 223 (36.6%) had a poor perception of
COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 415 (68%) respondents were willing to take up the COVID-19 vaccine if offered. Two hundred and forty-nine respondents (40.8%) have received the COVID-19 vaccine. The factors found to affect the uptake of the vaccine were age, skill level, level of education, knowledge of COVID-19, and willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusion: The study showed that the majority of the respondents had good knowledge and poor knowledge of COVID-19 and COVID-19 respectively. Over three- quarter of respondents had a poor perception risk of COVID-19. About two-third were willing to take
up the vaccine if offered. The government should provide accurate, up-to-date information about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. They should work with appropriate stakeholders to create awareness campaigns that address vaccine hesitancy.
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