Applying the Health Belief Model to COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Health Care Workers in Nigeria: A Comparative Study

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DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.13.04.Art032

Authors : Sotimehin Oladipo, Esomonu Sabastine, Onajole Adebayo

Abstract:

Though health care workers (HCW) are central to the COVID-19 pandemic response, they face a higher risk of infection in the course of their duties, and vaccine hesitancy exists among them. This study aimed to compare the barriers and drivers of hesitancy among medical doctors with other HCWs to COVID-19 vaccination in two health facilities in Abuja, Nigeria (April-May 2022), with a view to designing interventions to mitigate the problem. A cross-sectional study was undertaken using a self-administered questionnaire for data collection. 316 HCPs completed the questionnaire, comprising 49.7% doctors and 50.3% other HCWs. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied in the analysis. Among the hesitant HCWs, more doctors were unwilling to receive the COVID-19 vaccine though the finding was not statistically significant nor was the proportion of the two groups who received COVID-19 vaccination. However, other HCWs (22%) believed that their chances of serious complications and hospitalization if they contracted COVID-19 were higher than those of doctors (8.3%), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=11.609, p=0.003). Some of the perceived barriers in both groups included uncertainty of the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, perceived absence of scientific assurances, religious belief and lack of trust in the government. HCWs’ confidence plays a critical role in patient vaccination behaviour. Therefore, it is highly recommended to implement effective awareness campaigns, educational initiatives, and continuous medical training for healthcare workers, supported by strong leadership endorsement. Additionally, policymakers should avoid adopting a one-size-fits-all communication approach to better address the specific needs and barriers among frontline providers.

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