A survey on the willingness to take covid-19 vaccine amongst Nigerian youths and associated attitudes and perceptions

Abstract

Background

The
quick roll out and access to covid-19 will flatten the infection and death rate
only when a high level of vaccine uptake is achieved. This study investigated
the acceptability of covid-19 vaccine by the Nigerian Youth.

Methods

This
is a cross-sectional study of 631 youths (343 females and 270 males) aged
between 15-44 years who were randomly recruited through a questionnaire, conducted from 10
February through 15 March 2021. Each participant had access to an anonymous
questionnaire only after getting informed on the objectives of the study and
consented to the same. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographics
and ‘knowledge, attitudes and perceptions’ (KAPs) with 6 and 11 questions
respectively. Chi-square test and Cramer’s V Statistic to determine the
relative strength of association (at p<0.05) between independent variables
and the primary outcomes (willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine).

Results

44
% of the respondents are not willing to take the vaccine, 22% are willing while
34% are not decisive. Only 10% of those willing to take the vaccine agreed to
take it if becomes compulsory while 64% will not change their stand. The
willingness to take covid-19 vaccine is associated to age (p=0.008, χ2 =23.027,
V=0.139), occupation (p=0.026, χ2=17.455, V=0.119), level of knowledge (p=0.007,
χ2=21.026, V=0.131), major source of information for covid-19 (p=0.004, χ2
=31.798, V=0.161), belief in the reality of Covid-19 (p<0.00, χ2=32.477, V=0.163),
and compulsion for covid-19 vaccination (p<0.001, χ2 =364.973, V=0.546).

Conclusion

There is an anticipated high level of hesitancy
for the uptake of covid-19 vaccine amongst Nigerian youths. Covid-19 uptake
advocacy strategies must be developed and focus should be on reinstating trust
in the vaccine programs and should be through the most valued source of
information for the youths – social media.