Knowledge about covid-19 disease and acceptance of covid-19 vaccines among undergraduates of a federal university in south- south Nigeria

Background: Following the covid-19 outbreak in Hubei, China in December 2019, efforts were made to decrease transmission rates and contain the spread of the virus, using the newly developed covid-19 vaccines. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge about, and acceptance of covid-19 vaccines among undergraduates of a federal university in Nigeria.

Objectives: The study assessed the knowledge of undergraduates about covid-19 and their willingness to take covid-19 vaccine.

Methods: The study adopted a descriptive, quantitative approach with a study population of 2450 undergraduates in the halls of residence. Participants were selected using a non-probability convenience sampling technique calculated based on the assumption of a 50% vaccine acceptance rate, a 5% margin of error and a confidence interval of 95%. A validated 30 item self-structured questionnaire collecting data on demographics, knowledge of covid-19, its vaccines, vaccine coverage and willingness to take the covid-19 vaccine was administered in person to the respondents. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21 to obtain the frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation of data collected. Ethical approval was gotten from the management of the University and Informed consent was also obtained from the respondents.

Results: There were 332 respondents, made up of 169 females. Knowledge level was relatively high as indicated by almost 100% on covid-19 and 99.4% on the vaccines. Results also indicated low covid-19 vaccination coverage as only 3.9% had taken the vaccine and 44.3% of respondents indicated refusal to take the vaccine.

Conclusion: This study reported low covid-19 vaccination coverage with high refusal of respondents on acceptance of the vaccine. There is need to increase awareness about covid-19 vaccine (and other vaccines generally) as this will increase vaccination and promote safety.