Hesitancy Prevalence and Sociocognitive Barriers to Coronavirus Vaccinations in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence, socioeconomic and cognitive barriers of coronavirus vaccinations in Nigeria. The study used an ex-post facto design. 526-participants were sampled using snowball sampling technique. A questionnaire pack containing socio-demographics and a 13-item adapted scale of SYKES was used. Findings revealed the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy (61.7%). Adolescents (83.8%) recorded more hesitancy than participants in early-adulthood (62.7%), middle-adulthood (53.1%), and late-adulthood (53%). Males (83.8%) showed hesitancy than the females (33.3%). More so, the primary (62.5%) and secondary school certificate holders (41.4%) scored more on hesitancy than tertiary certificate holders (36.0%). The identified perceived barriers to vaccinations are: safety (91%); government distrust (75.5%) and coerciveness (65.7%), vaccines efficacy (62.5%), complacency (65.7%), and constraints to vaccination center (55.5%). Conclusively, vaccination hesitancy was found more among males and younger respondents. Safety and efficacy of the vaccines, government distrust, coercive approach, and complacency were found as major barriers.

Keywords

• cognitive barriers
• socio-economic factors
• covid-19 vaccination
• nigeria
• vaccines hesitancy