Author(s)

Orji Chioma Geraldine^*, Ezeama MC, Eberendu IF, Agu GC

Affiliation(s)

Department of Public Health, Faculty Of Health Sciences Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

Corresponding Author

Orji Chioma Geraldine

ABSTRACT

Healthcare workers are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection with ease of infection transmissibility to coworkers and patients. Vaccine hesitancy rates of 56% and up to 25% have been reported among healthcare workers in US and China respectively. Vaccination is known as the most effective strategy to combat infectious diseases. Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine plays a major role in combating the pandemic. This study assessed the socio-demographic factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in Abia State. A cross-sectional study among 422 healthcare workers was conducted in Abia State with an online-based questionnaire. The questionnaire extracted information on socio-demographics and willingness to take vaccine uptake. Descriptive statistics was used to calculate frequencies and proportions. Bivariate analysis was used to test the association between the socio-demographic factors and the outcome variable (vaccine hesitancy). Logistic regression was conducted to identify the predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The level of significance was 5%. Mean age of the respondents was 40.6 ± 9.5 years and 67.1% were females The COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy rate was 50.5% (95%CI: 45.6%-55.3%). Socio-demographic factors included age, marital status, location of practice, profession, and income. Vaccine Hesitancy was predicted significantly by younger age (a OR = 9.34, 95%C I:2.01-43.39), marital status (single) (a OR = 4.97,  95% C I:1.46-16.97), lower income (a OR=2.84, 95% CI:1.32 - 6.08), and Profession – Doctor (a OR =0.28, 95% C I:0.11-0.70), Nurse (a OR=0.31, 95% C I:0.15-0.64) and other allied health professionals (a OR=0.22, 95%CI:0.10-0.44). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was high among healthcare workers. Significant socio-demographic predictors influence the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. We recommend that the Federal and State Ministries of Health conduct awareness campaigns targeting the younger age group, singles, lower income class, and non-clinical staff.

KEYWORDS

Covid-19; Vaccine hesitancy; Healthcare; Workers

CITE THIS PAPER

Orji Chioma Geraldine, Ezeama MC, Eberendu IF, Agu GC. Socio-demographic factors associated with covid-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in abia state. Sciences in Nursing and Health. 2025, 2(1): 46-53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61784/snh3022.

REFERENCES

[1] World Health Organization.  Rolling updates on corona virus disease (COVID-19). 2020.

[2] Worldometer. Coronavirus update (live): cases and deaths from COVID-19 virus pandemic. 2021.

[3] Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. NCDC corona virus COVID-19 micro site: COVID-19 Nigeria. 2021.

[4] World Health Organization. SAGE working group on vaccine hesitancy-literature review. 2013: 1-40.

[5] Stock AD, Bader ER, Cezayirli P, et al. COVID-19infection among healthcare workers: serological findings supporting routine testing. Frontiers in Medicine, 2020, 7: 471.

[6] Kim R, Nachman S, Fernandes R, et al. Comparison of COVID- 19 infections among healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers. PLoS One, 2020, 15(12): e0241956.

[7] Ilesanmi OS, Afolabi AA, Akande A, et al. Infection prevention and control during COVID-19 pandemic: realities from healthcare workers in a North Central State in Nigeria. Epidemiology and Infection, 2021, 149: e15.

[8] World Health Organization. Health workers: a global profile. The World Health report, 2006.

[9] Burrer S L, dePerio M A, Hughes M M, et al. Characteristics of healthcare personnel with COVID-19 United States. MMWRM orb Mortal Wkly Rep, 2017, 69(15): 477-481.

[10] Alajmi J, Jeremijenko AM, Abraham JC, et al. COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers in a national healthcare system: The Qatar experience. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2020, 100: 386-389.

[11] Sabetian G, Moghadami M, Hashemizadeh Fard Haghighi L, et al. COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study in southwest Iran. Virology Journal, 2019, 17, 18(1): 58.

[12] Elimian KO, Ochu CL, Ilori E, et al. Descriptive epidemiology of corona virus disease 2019 in Nigeria. Epidemiology and Infection, 2020, 11, 148: e208.

[13] Enabulele O, Esther A. The risk perception of COVID -19 and practice of precautionary measures amongst healthcare workers in the National Health Insurance Scheme Clinic of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Pan African Medical Journal, 2021, 21, 38: 73.

[14] Alasia D D, Maduka O. Prevalence and pattern of COVID-19 among healthcare workers in rivers State Nigeria. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2021, 09(01): 20-32.

[15] World Health Organization. Corona virus disease (COVID-19): vaccines. 2021.

[16] Seale H. It’s crucial we address COVID vaccine hesitancy among health workers. Here′s where to start. 2020.

[17] Sallam M. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy worldwide: a concise systematic review of vaccine acceptance rates. Vaccines (Basel), 2021, 16, 9(2): 160.

[18] Wang J, Jing R, Lai X, et al. Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic in china. Vaccines (Basel), 2020, 27, 8(3): 482.