Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude towards Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccines among Students in Zambia - A Case Study of the University of Zambia

Abstract

Equitable access to safe and efficacious vaccines is essential to the fight against Covid-19. Low vaccine acceptance poses a challenge to controlling the Covid-19 pandemic. Young people are key in the fight against Covid-19, as they are a majority in most African populations. A cross-sectional study was used to assess the knowledge and attitude toward Covid-19 vaccines among university students in Zambia. This study comprised a total of 160 respondents with an average age of 21.0 + 3.6 years, ranging from 18 to 46 years. The study was done between January and February 2022. Random sampling was used for participant enrollment, and an interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Spearman’s Rank Correlation test and Binary Logistic Regression were performed to establish relationships among the study variables. The study revealed a knowledge score of 61.3%, and a Covid-19 vaccine acceptance score of 28.0%. Knowledge was also found to be associated with Covid-19 vaccine acceptance (p<0.05). Covid-19 vaccine acceptance showed an association with history of having a relative or close friend who had Covid-19 infection (OR=2.041, C.I. 95%, 1.010-4.127; p<0.05), as well as knowledge (OR=1.275, C.I. 95%, 1.045-1.556; p<0.05). The results showed good knowledge of Covid-19 vaccines among students. The attitude was however found to be negative, as indicated by a vaccine acceptance score of 28.0%. Evidence-based health education on the importance of Covid-19 vaccination is needed to counter myths and conspiracy beliefs about the disease to improve vaccine uptake. Keywords: Vaccines; Covid-19; Acceptance; Attitude; Knowledge; Zambia.