RESUMO
High acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines is crucial to ending the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are frontline responders in the fight against COVID-19, they were prioritized to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria. This study assessed the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among HCWs in Katsina State using an online structured questionnaire and predicted variables that could increase the acceptance of the vaccine among HCWs using logistic regression analysis. A total of 793 HCWs were included in this study. Of these, 65.4% (n=519) of them were male and 36.2% (n=287) were aged between 30-39 years. Eighty percent (80%, n=638) of the HCWs have been tested for the SARS-CoV-2 out of which 10.8% (n=65) of them tested positive. The majority of the HCWs (97.3%, n=765) believed that the COVID-19 vaccine was safe and 90% (n=714) of the HCWs have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Our findings showed that the age of the HCW, their COVID-19 testing status, and the type of health facility they work (either public or private) were the main predictors for the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among HCWs in Katsina State. HCWs between the age of 30-39 years were more likely (OR:7.06; 95% CI: 2.36, 21.07; p < 0.001) to accept the vaccine than others. In the same vein, HCWs that have been tested for COVID-19 were more likely (OR:7.64; 95% CI: 3.62, 16.16; p < 0.001) to accept the vaccine than those that have not been tested. In addition, HCWs in public health facilities were more likely (OR: 2.91; 95% CI: 1.17, 6.11; p = 0.094) to accept the COVID-19 vaccine than their counterparts in private HFs. There was a high acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccines among HCWs in Katsina State. More emphasis should be paid on adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions and availability of vaccines for HCWs in private hospitals.
RESUMO
The current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed and impacted lives on a global scale since its emergence and spread from China in late 2019. It has caused millions of infections, and thousands of deaths worldwide. However, the control of this pandemic still remains unachievable in many African countries including Egypt and Nigeria, despite the application of some strict preventive and control measures. Therefore, this study assessed the knowledge, attitude and perceptions of Egyptians and Nigerians towards COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 1437 respondents were included in this preliminary cross-sectional survey. The mean knowledge score was 14.7{+/-}2.3. The majority of the respondents (61.6%) had a satisfactory knowledge of the disease. Age (18-39 years), education (College/bachelors) and background of respondents were factors influencing knowledge levels. The attitude of most respondents (68.9%) towards the preventive measures was satisfactory with an average attitude score of 6.9 {+/-} 1.2. The majority of the respondents (96%) practiced self-isolation and social-distancing but only 36% follow all health recommendations. The perception of most respondents (62.1%) on the global efforts at controlling the virus and preventing further spread was satisfactory with an average score of 10.9 {+/-} 2.7. A satisfactory knowledge of COVID-19 was significantly associated with good attitude and perceptions (p < 0.001) of respondents. Only 22% of the respondents were satisfied with their countrys handling of the pandemic. It is imperative that to avoid Africa being the next epicenter of the pandemic. Governments need to strengthen health systems, improve their surveillance activities in detecting cases, and effectively apply standard infection prevention and control measures.
