Nigerian parents and caregivers knowledge, attitude and willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19
oleh: Azeezat Ajose, Azeezat Ajose, Cassandra Akinde, Cassandra Akinde, Azizat Ilo, Tobi Durojaiye, Tobi Durojaiye, Yusuf Shittu, Yusuf Shittu, Tolani Kadiri, Bisola Raheem, Bisola Raheem, Mujidat Kehinde Alamutu, Mujidat Kehinde Alamutu, Olamide Ojo, Alero Ann Roberts
| Format: | Article |
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| Diterbitkan: | Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-10-01 |
Deskripsi
ObjectivesIn order to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19, a significant proportion of the population will need to be vaccinated. Experts have recommended that African children be allowed to get vaccinated to protect them from emerging variants of COVID-19 infection. This study investigated Nigerian parents and caregivers’ knowledge, attitude, and willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 once the vaccines are made available to them.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey of 500 parents/caregivers was conducted in Nigeria. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about their sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of and attitude toward COVID-19 infection and vaccination, willingness to vaccinate their child and factors that could influence their decision to vaccinate their child. A scoring system was used to classify the level of knowledge and attitude of participants into 2 categories, namely poor, and good. We analyzed data obtained using SPSS Version 22.ResultsMajority of the participants were females (63.6%). Analysis of responses revealed good knowledge and attitude in 265 (53.0%) and 266 (53.2%) respondents, respectively. Overall, less than half of the parents/caregivers (48.4%) expressed intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Factors associated with willingness to vaccinate children against COVID-19 included age greater than 40 years, male gender, residing in Southern Nigeria, having good knowledge, knowing an infected person or a vaccinated person, feeling they or their child is at risk of contracting COVID-19 infection, willingness to vaccinate self against COVID-19 and good attitude. Significant predictors of willingness to vaccinate their child include age greater than 40 years [AOR: 2.56; 95% CI = (1.14–5.76)], willingness to vaccinate self [AOR: 1016.81; 95% CI = (128.51–8045.60)] and good attitude [AOR: 6.21; 95% CI = (2.83–13.64)].ConclusionThis study revealed that parental willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 is low and identified factors influencing it. It is important to develop and implement health education programs iterating the risk of children getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging variants to ensure optimal uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in Nigerian children.