ORIGINAL: Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in a Tertiary Hospital Community, North Central, Nigeria

West Afr J Med. 2024 May; 41 (5): 542-547 PMID: 39207905

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 vaccine uptake is cardinal in the control of COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 vaccine uptake is hindered by misinformation, conspiracy theory, and religious beliefs globally. This has posed a threat in curbing the spread of this highly infectious virus. Hence, knowledge of COVID-19 vaccine uptake predictors would help mitigate the burden of COVID-19 disease.

Objective: To determine the predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.

Materials and methods: The study was a descriptive crosssectional study over 3 months from January to March 2022. The sample size was 384 at 50% prevalence. A self-administered questionnaire was employed using convenience sampling. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 39.97±5.56. The majority were aged 21-40 (52.9%, n=203). There were more males (57.6%, n=221). The proportion of COVID-19 uptake was 21.6%. There was a statistically significant relationship between taking the COVID-19 vaccine and age, marital status, education, occupation, job discipline, monthly income, type of family, place of residence, childhood vaccination, immunization as an adult, and family members/close contact with COVID-19. In addition, COVID-19 vaccine uptake was also significantly associated with the belief that the COVID-19 vaccine has not been thoroughly tested, that they could rely on the vaccine to stop severe disease and that pharmaceutical companies use COVID-19 to make money. The predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake were marital status (p-value= 0.001, aoR=0.286, 95% CI= 0.146-0.563), family type (p-value= 0.001, AoR=6.346, 95% CI= 2.700-14.912), those residing in an urban area (p-value= 0.024, AoR= 3.130, 95% CI= 1.164-8.416) and those who believe COVID 19 vaccine could stop the severe form of the disease (p-value= 0.001, AoR= 2.448, 95% CI= 1.560-3.841).

Conclusion: The COVID-19 vaccine uptake rate was low. The predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake were married respondents in a nuclear setting, residing in urban areas and believing that COVID 19 vaccine could stop the severe form of the disease.