ATTITUDE OF FARMERS TOWARDS COVID-19 VACCINATION IN IKOT-EKPENE SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the attitude of farmers towards Covid-19 vaccination in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State. The objectives of the study were to assess the respondents’ awareness level of vaccines and vaccination as well as examine the attitude of the respondents toward the Covid-19 vaccination. The multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select two hundred (200) respondents for the study. Primary data were obtained using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results on socioeconomic characteristics revealed that the majority (54%) of the respondents were female and married (49%). They were educated and were majorly Christians (77.5%) who were engaged in crop farming (45%) as a primary source of occupation. From the findings, the respondents’ awareness index on COVID-19 Vaccines was very high (0.99) with a positive attitudinal disposition towards vaccines and vaccination. They acknowledged that it was not possible to reduce COVID-19 infection without vaccination (x=3.75) and promised to take COVID-19 vaccination without hesitation upon availability (x=3.61). However, the respondents expressed worry about the unknown effects of COVID-19 vaccines (x=3.68) believing that the vaccines can cause unforeseen problems in the future (3.51). In conclusion, the respondents, besides being receptive to the COVID-19 vaccine, still have some reservations and doubts about the vaccines. It is therefore recommended that Government and relevant authorities should intensify educational awareness and sensitization campaigns on the vaccines while making available more vaccines.