ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND UPTAKE OF COVID-19 VACCINATIONS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN THE BOLE DISTRICT

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the infectious agent that causes coronavirus illness (COVID-19), causing over 4 million deaths across the world. The aim of study was to examine adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, and uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations in the wake of the pandemic in the Bole district of the Savannah Region. Analytical cross-sectional study with a mixed method approach was used to survey 501 teenagers. Thematic analysis and statistical methods were employed for data analysis. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify determinants of dependent variable. Most respondents (30.0%) were within the age group16-18 years. Majority of respondents (54.7%) had poor knowledge on COVID-19 vaccination. Furthermore, 67.5% of respondents had poor perception regarding the safety, efficacy, and importance of COVID 19 vaccines, and more than half of respondents had positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. About 50.1% of respondents took COVID–19 vaccines. Good knowledge on COVID-19 vaccination (OR=2.60, CI=3.87-6.82, p<0.001), and good perception regarding the safety, efficacy, and importance of COVID-19 vaccines (OR=5.23, CI=9.05-12.63, p<0.001) were identified as determinants of COVID–19 vaccines uptake. Some Respondents also believed in myths surrounding COVID–19 vaccination, and peer influence was found to be one of major factors which influenced the attitude regarding COVID–19 vaccination among respondents. There is the need to improve knowledge and perception of adolescents regarding COVID–19 vaccines via effective education and communication to improve attitude regarding COVID–19 vaccination, and uptake of COVID–19 vaccines.