Factors that Influenced Acceptance of Covid-19 Vaccination in Afara, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 vaccination remains one of the most effective strategies for preventing severe illness and controlling the spread of the disease. However, vaccine hesitancy continues to undermine vaccination efforts in many communities, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas of Nigeria. Understanding the factors that influence vaccine acceptance is essential for designing effective public health interventions. Objective: This study assessed the factors influencing acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among residents of Afara, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. A multi-stage sampling technique involving random, quota, and systematic sampling methods was used to select respondents from the Afara community. Data were collected using structured questionnaires administered in English and interpreted in the local language where necessary. The questionnaire assessed knowledge of COVID-19 and its vaccine, factors influencing vaccine acceptance, views towards vaccination, and the association between socio-demographic characteristics and vaccine acceptance. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The findings revealed that awareness of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines was relatively high among respondents. However, actual COVID-19 vaccine uptake was low, with only 7.03% of respondents reporting receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine. For the purpose of this study, vaccine uptake refers to actual receipt of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while vaccine acceptance refers to respondents’ willingness to receive or support COVID-19 vaccination. Major factors associated with vaccine acceptance included self-protection, protection of family and community members, recommendations from healthcare professionals, and perceived health benefits. Major barriers identified were misinformation, cultural and religious beliefs, distrust of vaccine safety, concerns about side effects, disbelief in the severity of COVID-19, and political influences. Healthcare providers were identified as the most trusted source of vaccine-related information. A statistically significant association was observed between gender and vaccine acceptance (χ² = 46.55, df = 1, p < 0.001), whereas age (χ² = 2.14, df = 3, p = 0.544) and educational level (χ² = 5.63, df = 3, p = 0.131) were not significantly associated with vaccine acceptance. Conclusion: Although awareness of COVID-19 and its vaccines was relatively high among residents of Afara, actual COVID-19 vaccine uptake remained low and may be insufficient to provide broad community-level protection against COVID-19. Vaccine hesitancy was primarily driven by misinformation, cultural and religious beliefs, distrust, and misconceptions regarding vaccine safety. Strengthening community-based health education, improving access to credible information through healthcare professionals, addressing misinformation, and implementing culturally sensitive communication strategies are essential for improving vaccine uptake in the community.