Original Research Article
Year: 2022 | Month: January | Volume: 12 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 175-187
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20220124
Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Ghana
Sumani Abdul-Manan1, Alhassan Iddrisu Abdullai2, Buhari Gunu Yussif3
1Assistant Lecturer, University for Development Studies, School of Public Health. Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Disease Control. Box TL 1350, Tamale, Ghana.
2Principal Superintendent Professional, Akontonbra Senior High School, Post Office Box18, Sefwi Akontombra.
3Health Science, MPH, Garizam, D4 Saabonjida, Tamale.
Corresponding Author: Sumani Abdul-Manan
ABSTRACT
Background: A proven strategy for saving lives from vaccine-preventable diseases is the timely vaccination of the people. In Ghana, there is considerable hesitation about the Covid-19 vaccines due to anxieties and uncertainties about their safety. With varying perceptions and believes being developed about Covid-19 vaccines, there is a likely negative effect on vaccine acceptance or otherwise. This study aims to ascertain the levels of acceptance of potential Covid-19 vaccine among Ghanaian adults, to identify predictors of vaccine acceptance or hesitance.
Methodology: A web based cross-sectional survey conducted among Ghanaians above 18 years, conducted between the month of February and March, 2021. Data were collected by administering online google forms (Questionnaire). The questionnaire was shared through social media platforms. A snowball sampling technique was used where researchers shared google forms to close friends and family. Analyses were conducted at p-value <0.05 using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations and logistic regression.
Results: A total of 350 responses were achieved by end of data collection. Out of these, only 348 were considered for analysis based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Majority of the respondents (65.2%) were male, a third (30%) of them live in rural areas and about 57.5% were married. Factors such as age, educational level, prior vaccine acceptance history, personal vulnerability and self-feeling of health were significantly associated with covid-19 vaccine acceptance.
Conclusion: The results depict low acceptance rate for potential covid-19 vaccine among Ghanaians. Government and MoH should engage the media on its role in combating misinformation with regards the Covid-19 vaccine.
Key words: coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), vaccine, hesitance, acceptance.