Awareness And Attitude Of Secondary School Students Towards The Covid-19 Vaccine

This study was carried out to examine the awareness and attitude of secondary school students towards the covid-19 vaccine in Nasarawa stateThe study was specifically carried out to find out whether secondary school students are aware of the covid-19 vaccine, examine the reasons for covid-19 vaccine acceptance by secondary school students in Nasarawa State, examine the factors associated with the covid-19 vaccine acceptance by secondary school students in Nasarawa State, and examine the reason for covid-19 vaccine refusal(if any) by secondary school students in Nasarawa State,And was anchored on the health belief model (HBM).The study employed the survey descriptive research design. Hence, the questionnaire was used for data collection which was raised against a four Likert scale of strongly agree (SA), agree (A), disagree (D), and strongly disagree (SD) while the data collected were analyzed using frequency tables, and relative importance index. The hypotheses test was conducted using ANOVA statistical tool, SPSS v.23. A total of 261 respondents were conveniently selected as sample size, which comprised of secondary school students in Nasarawa State, while 259 were validated. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed thatsecondary school students in Nasarawa State are aware of the covid-19 vaccine at β = 0.887, R² = 0.936, P = .000.The study also showed that Covid-19 vaccine is accepted by secondary school students in Nasarawa State, at β = 0.896, R2 = 0.952, P = .000. The study therefore recommends that the government, stakeholders and school authorities should prioritize measures that enhance immunization coverage. And acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine will be bolstered by enhanced awareness campaigns and feedback from vaccinated persons on its safety, hence it is recommend.

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
More than a year after the announcement of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as a pandemic on 11 March 2020, the disease continues to cause a global public health catastrophe with continued infections, death, and severe economic and social consequences (Sophia, 2020). Over 217 million individuals have been infected with the virus causing severe acute respiratory syndrome-2 (SARS-CoV-2) as of August 2021, resulting in over 4.5 million deaths. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is projected to continue causing widespread illness and mortality and disrupting society and economies worldwide (Madani 2021).

Although several preventative and therapeutic methods have been taken, the newly produced vaccinations have been demonstrated to be successful in mitigating COVID-19's impact (Madani 2021). Indeed, non-pharmaceutical efforts including as quarantine, social isolation, mask wearing, and others played a significant role in preventing the pandemic's spread. However, the incidence of new infections and mortality continues to climb. Several vaccinations have been developed, with some licensed and others undergoing clinical testing.

Notably, the Pfizer/BioNtech, AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccines are licensed for emergency use in a number of nations (Johns Hopkins University 2020). Regardless of the disparate distribution of vaccinations across high-income and low-income countries, vaccine acceptance continues to be an important topic of discussion for the successful immunization of the public.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria has authorized the use of the AstraZeneca1 (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) vaccine in the nation (Davis, 2020), along with a number of others. The Nigerian government has received multiple batches of the vaccine through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (COVAX), a collaboration between the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization. The COVAX is a component of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, a global cooperation to expedite the development, manufacture, and equitable access of COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments, and vaccinations (Davis, 2020). Since then, the Nigerian National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has begun immunization in stages with priority groups, beginning with frontline healthcare professionals. The organization has also launched an online self-registration site to implement a nationwide immunization program (Johns Hopkins University 2020).

Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccinations in Nigeria is crucial for containing the COVID-19 epidemic and restoring normal societal functioning (Sophia 2020). Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccinations is necessary for high uptake; if not addressed, low acceptance might impede uptake. This has been the situation with past pandemic vaccinations, for example, the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic vaccine (Madani 2021). (Madani 2021).

According to Johns Hopkins University (2020), as with other vaccines, numerous factors have the potential to influence COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake, including parental recommendations, efforts to eradicate the virus and end the pandemic, schools recommendations, family decisions, misinformation, age, and practical considerations. While COVID-19 vaccine acceptance has been high in many countries, there are advantages to understanding factors that may play a larger role in the acceptance of new vaccines developed for novel viruses and pandemics, particularly in the period prior to vaccine booster approval, when awareness may be low and individuals may be forming attitudes, beliefs, and intentions that influence later vaccination behavior (Davis, 2020). Furthermore, early evidence on facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Nigeria can inform health authorities’ and other vaccine stakeholders’ responses to hesitancy and refusal of vaccines throughout the life of a vaccination program, for example to support acceptance of COVID-19 booster vaccines, the next generation of COVID-19 vaccines, or vaccination of groups eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines later than others, for example children (Egbuniwe, 2020). Such evidence can also help authorities maintain sensitivity to people’s questions and concerns about COVID-19 vaccines, and respond in ways that build trust in and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, or other novel vaccines in the future hence the need for this study.

1,2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

ACDC (2020) reports that, despite the widespread availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, there are significant factors that serve as a barrier to immunization adoption. Examples of such restrictions include: occasionally, accessible information on the COVID-19 is deceptive, resulting in confusion and overload, the perception that vaccine development was hurried, religious and cultural obstacles, and previous vaccination experiences (ACDC 2020). The bad experiences from earlier pandemics (e.g., influenza), notably the poor acceptability in many nations, indicate the need for a better knowledge of vaccination acceptance and reluctance.

Several studies from different parts of the world such as those carried out by Ahmed (2020), Jude (2020), Bra (2021), Stalloin (2021), and many others have examined the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine and its associated factors in different groups like healthcare workers and the aged. However, there is a paucity of studies carried out among students in order to replicate the findings of previous studies on students. This study seeks to fill this gap by examining the the awareness and attitude of secondary school students towards the covid-19 vaccine in Nasarawa state.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary objective of this study is to examine the the awareness and attitude of secondary school students towards the covid-19 vaccine in Nasarawa state. Specifically, this study seeks to attain the following objectives:

1. To find out whether secondary school students are aware of the covid-19 vaccine.
2. To examine the reasons for covid-19 vaccine acceptance by secondary school students in Nasarawa state
3. To examine the factors associated with the covid-19 vaccine acceptance by secondary school students in Nasarawa state.
4. To examine the reasons for covid-19 vaccine refusal(if any) by secondary school students in Nasarawa state.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions guide this study:

1. Are secondary school students in Nasarawa state aware of the covid-19 vaccine?
2. What are the reasons for covid-19 vaccine acceptance by secondary school students in Nasarawa state
3. What are the factors associated with the covid-19 vaccine acceptance by secondary school students in Nasarawa state?
4. What are the reason for covid-19 vaccine refusal(if any) by secondary school students in Nasarawa state?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

To determine the effectiveness of this study, the following research null hypotheses is formulated to guide the study and it will be tested at 0.05% levels of significance:

H01: Secondary school students in Nasarawa state are not aware of the covid-19 vaccine.

H02: Covid-19 vaccine is not accepted by secondary school students in Nasarawa state.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

As a nursing student, the research investigator recognized a paucity of studies on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors. Hospital administrators can use the findings of this study to educate nurses on COVID 19 acceptance and the factors that affect the uptake of the vaccine.

Additionally, healthcare providers will use it as a literature review. This means that healthcare providers who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regards to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors.

The result will also be beneficial to the society as it will show the reasons why COVID 19 vaccine should be accepted and factors that are responsible for the vaccine hesitancy in the society.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is focused on the awareness and attitude of secondary school students towards the covid-19 vaccine in Nasarawa state. Specifically, this study is focused on finding out whether secondary school students are aware of the covid-19 vaccine, and examining the reasons for covid-19 vaccine acceptance by secondary school students.

This study is also focused on examining the factors associated with the covid-19 vaccine acceptance by secondary school students and examining the reason for covid-19 vaccine refusal(if any) by secondary school students.

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Like in every human endeavour, the researcher encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. More so, the researcher simultaneously engaged in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.

1.9 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

Covid 19 pandemic: Also known as corona-virus), which is spread primarily by contact with infectious material (such as respiratory droplets) or infected materials or surfaces. It is characterized by fever, cough, and shortness of breath, which can lead to pneumonia and respiratory failure.

Vaccine: A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe, its toxins, or one of its surface proteins.

1.10 Organization Of The Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows. Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.

Abstract

Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Limitation of the Study
1.9 Definition of Terms
1.10 Organizations of the Study

Chapter Two: Review of Literature
2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three: Research Methodology
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of the Study
3.3 Sample Size Determination
3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure
3.5 Research Instrument and Administration
3.6 Method of Data Collection
3.7 Method of Data Analysis
3.8 Validity of the Study
3.9 Reliability of the Study
3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four: Data Presentation and Analysis
4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Analysis of Data
4.3 Answering Research Questions
4.4 Test of Hypotheses

Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
5.4 Suggestions for Further Studies
References
APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE
References
Appendix

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