Assessment of Covid-19 Knowledge Vaccination Status and Willingness to Recommend Covid-19 Vaccine Among Final Year Medical Students in Southeast Nigeria
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Abstract
Vaccines are the most crucial tool to end the COVID-19 pandemic and save lives and livelihoods. Healthcare workers are at risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the COVID-19 disease knowledge, vaccination status, willingness to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine, and associated factors among final-year medical students in a tertiary healthcare facility in Imo, Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study, and data was collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and bivariate analysis were performed using SPSS statistical software version 22.0, and the level of statistical significance was determined at a P-value of less than 0.05.
The majority of the respondents (82.5%) had good knowledge of the COVID-19 infection. Less than half of the medical students (44.2%) had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and a higher proportion of the respondents (55.2%), reported fear of side effects as a barrier. Having a relative who had received the COVID-19 vaccine was significantly associated with both the respondents’ vaccination status and the respondent’s willingness to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine. Though the majority had good knowledge, less than half of the medical students had received the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, efforts should be made by the relevant authorities to ensure that information regarding COVID-19 vaccine safety is disseminated to the students.
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