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

<b>Abstract</b> <b>Background</b> 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. <b>Methods</b> 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&lt;0.05) between independent variables and the primary outcomes (willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine). <b>Results</b> 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&lt;0.00, χ2=32.477, V=0.163), and compulsion for covid-19 vaccination (p&lt;0.001, χ²=364.973, V=0.546). <b>Conclusion</b> 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.