Knowledge and Perception of Adult Nigerians Towards COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Study in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the proliferation of misinformation concerning the disease and its preventative vaccines became a significant issue. To address this, this study investigated the knowledge and perceptions of adult Nigerians in Southwest Nigeria concerning COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: Cross-sectional online surveys’, utilizing structured questionnaire distributed via Google Forms, was employed to gather data from 309 residents across Southwestern states. The collected data were then analyzed using percentages and Chi-Square tests in SPSS to determine associations between COVID-19 knowledge and various factors including sociodemographic, vaccination knowledge, perception, awareness, and exposure to misinformation Results: The average age of respondents was 28.37 years, with a strong positive view towards COVID-19 vaccination (77.7% in favor). A significant majority believed in the vaccine's potential to combat the pandemic (88.3%), and 65.5% perceived it as safe based on their knowledge. Conclusion: Public health campaigns in Southwest Nigeria effectively reduced COVID-19 and immunization misinformation. However, continued efforts are crucial to address remaining misconceptions, particularly in rural areas and across Nigerian communities, leveraging social media and telecommunications.