Perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine and willingness to receive vaccination among health workers in Nigeria

• Published in: Osong public health and research perspectives 2021, 12(4), , pp.236-243
• Main Authors: Adejumo, Oluseyi Ademola, Ogundele, Olorunfemi Akinbode, Madubuko, Cynthia Roli, Oluwafemi, Rosena Olubanke, Okoye, Ogochukwu Chinedum, Okonkwo, Kenechukwu Chukwuemeka, Owolade, Sunday Samson, Junaid, Oladimeji Adedeji, Lawal, Olutoyin Morenike, Enikuomehin, Adenike Christianah, Ntaji, Maureen Iru, Sokunbi, Aisha, Timothy, Aina Omodele, Abolarin, Olatunji Sunday, Ali, Emmanuel Olalekan, Ohaju-Obodo, John Oghenevwirhe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: covid-19; covid-19 vaccine; health workers; nigeria; Original; perception; willingness; 예방의학
• ISSN: 2210-9099; 2233-6052; 2210-9110
• DOI: 10.24171/j.phrp.2021.0023

Objectives: The study aimed to examine health workers’ perceptions of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine in Nigeria and their willingness to receive the vaccine when it becomes available.Methods: This multi-center cross-sectional study used non-probability convenience sampling to enroll 1,470 hospital workers aged 18 and above from 4 specialized hospitals. A structured and validated self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data entry and analysis were conducted using IBM SPSS ver. 22.0.Results: The mean age of respondents was 40±6 years. Only 53.5% of the health workers had positive perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine, and only slightly more than half (55.5%) were willing to receive vaccination. Predictors of willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine included having a positive perception of the vaccine (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.50−5.69), perceiving a risk of contracting COVID-19 (AOR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.25–3.98), having received tertiary education (AOR, 3.50; 95% CI, 1.40−6.86), and being a clinical health worker (AOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01−1.68).Conclusion: Perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine and willingness to receive the vaccine were sub-optimal among this group. Educational interventions to improve health workers' perceptions and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine are needed.