the Uptake of Covid-19 Vaccination Among Health Care Workers In A Tertiary Hospital In Northeast Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The WHO declared COVID19 a public health emergency of international concern on January 30th, 2020, with millions infected and several deaths. Several countries began vaccinations targeting healthcare workers due to their increased risk of contracting the disease. Achieving high vaccine among healthcare workers is vital as it plays a major role in vaccine uptake among the general population. Objective: This study aimed at determining the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine uptake and the factors influencing it among healthcare workers at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted where 274 respondents were selected using a stratified sampling technique. Data was collected using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Associations were explored with chi-square test and logistics regression analysis. The level of significance was set at 5%. Result: The mean age of the respondents was 35.88±8.49 years, and the majority were men (54.4%) and nurses (39.0%). Of the 274 respondents interviewed, 66.8% were willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine, while 59% actually did so. Bivariate analysis showed that age (p=0.006), working experience (p=0.025), chronic medical condition (p<0.001), history of previous vaccination with other antigens (p=0.003) and history of positive COVID-19 test (p<0.001) were associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Logistic regression revealed that those with chronic medical conditions (OR=3.429 (CI:1,433-8.148), a history of previous vaccination (OR=3.018 (CI:1.119-8.148), and those who tested positive for COVID-19 (OR=2.823 (CI:1.630-4.901) were three times more likely than others to receive the COVID-19 vaccine..Conclusion:Low COVID-19 vaccine uptake was reported among healthcare workers of FTH, Gombe. Chronic medical conditions, history of previous vaccination and those with positive COVID-19 tests facilitated vaccine uptake. We advocate proper health education and community engagement among healthcare workers.