KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND DETERMINANTS OF COVID-19 VACCINE UPTAKE AND HESITANCY AMONG RURAL DWELLERS IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AND FUTURE IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMS
EBERE EMILIA AYOGU1*, PETER OMELIKO1, NGOZI BLESSING ASADU2, SUCCESS DAVID1, IFEANYI SOPURUCHUKWU MADU1, CALEB UGORJI1
- 1. Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
2. Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 18(1): 526-539 ; 2026
ABSTRACT
The global COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical importance of effective vaccination campaigns for public health. Despite the acute phase of the COVID-19 crisis having subsided, the insights gained from studying vaccine acceptance and hesitancy remain profoundly relevant for strengthening health systems, improving routine immunization programs, and enhancing preparedness for future epidemics or emerging infectious diseases This study investigated the knowledge, attitude, and willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among rural dwellers in Benue State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey involving 380 participants was conducted. The findings revealed that regarding COVID-19 vaccines, 59.2% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge, while 40.8% had poor knowledge, 40.5% exhibited a positive attitude whereas 59.5% held a negative attitude. Only 26.1% expressed willingness to accept vaccination without hesitation, with a high perception that vaccines might have side effects (74.7%), is not safe (60.8%) and that not everyone should receive vaccination. Bivariate logistic analysis indicated that attitude was a significant predictor of vaccine acceptance β=0.058 (95% CI: 0.029-0.116, p < 0.0001). These results highlight the need for targeted health education strategies to improve vaccine acceptance in rural Nigerian communities.
Keywords: COVID 19 vaccination, Vaccine Uptake and Hesitancy, Rural Dwellers
Email of correspondence: ebere.ayogu@unn.edu.ng;
https://doi.org/10.59493/ajopred/2026.1.14 ISSN: 0794-800X (print); 1596-2431 (online)