Abstract:

Successful implementation of COVID-19 vaccines may be influenced by beliefs about it. This study assessed beliefs about COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria and associated socio-demographic characteristics. It also evaluated socio-demographics as a predictive model for beliefs about the vaccine. This will provide insight to effective vaccine implementation measures. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 410 participants. A two-part questionnaire was developed using Google forms and validated by pre-testing and face validity. The internet link was distributed through snow ball approach to consenting participants from the six geopolitical zones through online platforms. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis were conducted using SPSS version 24 and statistical significance was set as p ≤ 0.05. A total of 410 respondents participated in the study. Total weighted beliefs about COVID-19 vaccine showed that the majority 337 (82.20 %) had positive beliefs about the vaccine, and this was associated with geopolitical region (p=0.002) and educational qualification (p=0.005). Socio-demographic characteristics was also found to be highly predictive of beliefs about the vaccine (68%). Socio-demographics predicts beliefs about COVID-19 with relatively high accuracy. Positive beliefs was mostly found, and this was associated with geopolitical region and educational qualification. Positive beliefs about the vaccine may enhance vaccine acceptance and cause a break in transmission dynamics of SARS-Cov-2 infection.

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