KNOWLEDGE AND COVID 19 VACCINE UPTAKE AMONG ELDERLY IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The elderly are more prone to the risk of COVID19-associated morbidity and mortality than other age groups and have been prioritized for COVID19 vaccination. Therefore, this study assessed knowledge and uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among the elderly in Ogun State Nigeria. This study employed a cross-sectional design. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select one hundred and seventy-five participants. A validated structured questionnaire was used in data collection. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics; all statistical tests were performed at a level of significance p ≤ 0.05. The participant's mean age was 67.4 ± 2.3 and less than half (40.6%) had no formal education. The participants' mean score for knowledge was 10.6 ± 5.8, while 64.0% had poor knowledge of the COVID-19 vaccine. Only 2.3% reported they had been vaccinated against COVID 19, while greater than half (67.4%) were willing to receive the vaccine against COVID 19. There was a significant difference in the average knowledge score in the age group (F = 7.6; p = 0.001). Also, no significant relationship was found between participants' knowledge and COVID-19 vaccine uptake (X2= 2.3; p = 0.3).In conclusion, participants had insufficient knowledge of the COVID-19 vaccine and poor uptake of the COVID 19 vaccine. A larger number of participants were willing to receive the COVID19 vaccine. It is recommended to implement an educational intervention to increase their knowledge and improve uptake of the COVID 19 vaccine.