Assessment of Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Residents of Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The refusal or delay in acceptance of proven effective vaccines including the newly introduced COVID-19 vaccines, has the potential to adversely affect the control of vaccine preventable diseases. This study was conducted to determine the level and predictors of hesitancy against COVID-19 vaccine that is yet to be made available to the general public in Plateau State among selected residents.

Methodology: A scenario-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 selected adults before the availability of COVID-19 vaccine using e-questionnaires in which scenarios for COVID-19 vaccination were created. IBM SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis and logistic regression for identification of predictors. A P-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 35.5 ± 9.5 years and 66.7% were males. Over half (55.3%) of respondents had poor knowledge of vaccines. The prevalence of vaccine hesitancy was 46% with fear of side effects accounting for the highest reason for the hesitancy (17.2%), followed by doubts about vaccine efficacy (15.5%) and doubts about the policies guiding vaccination (12.4%). COVID-19 self-risk perception (AOR= 2.4; 95% CI =1.161 – 4.980) and previous history of vaccination against any disease (AOR= 3.609; 95% CI =1.000 – 13.023) were found to be significant predictors of vaccine hesitancy.

Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that almost half of respondents were hesitant to take COVID-19 vaccine. There is need to embark on health education to members of the general public on importance of COVID 19 vaccination.