Community awareness, knowledge and perception about malaria vaccine in the Kassena‐Nankana East Municipality: A descriptive cross‐sectional survey

Abstract

Abstract Aim To assess community awareness, knowledge and perception of the malaria vaccine. Design A descriptive cross‐sectional survey. Methods Multistage sampling was adopted in recruiting 400 participants. A structured questionnaire designed based on study objectives guided data collection. Results Participants were 18–47 years with a mean age of 30 years. A statistically significant association was observed between socio‐demographic characteristics (age, marital status, religion, education) and the awareness of the malaria vaccine. Majority of the participants (n = 190, 86.4%) said the vaccine was for the protection of children and they perceived that the vaccine would improve children's ability to fight diseases (n = 158, 71.8%), hence should be administered to every child (n = 201, 91.4%). Nurses and other health workers should intensify public education on the malaria vaccine. Patient or Public Contribution Caregivers of children in Kassena‐Nankana East Municipality.

Keywords

• caregivers
• knowledge
• malaria
• nurses
• perception
• vaccine