Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among Adults in Kogi State, Nigeria: A Study Applying the Health Belief Model and Theory of Planned Behaviour

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global public health, with effective vaccine distribution being crucial to mitigating virus spread and reducing healthcare burdens. This study investigates determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among adults in Kogi State, Nigeria, using the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A cross-sectional survey of 484 participants selected through multistage sampling involved a structured questionnaire covering demographic information and HBM and TPB constructs. Results show that the age category (35-44) and senatorial zone (Kogi East) significantly predict vaccine uptake, with individuals aged 35-44 years being 2.5 times more likely to get vaccinated (OR = 2.5, p < 0.05). Perceived behavioral control significantly influences vaccine uptake (Β =-0.112, p = 0.018), while perceived subjective norm (β = 0.038, p = 0.41) and behavioral intention (Β = 0.039, p = 0.423) have minimal impact. The HBM constructs, including perceived severity (Β = 0.062, p = 0.027), susceptibility (Β = 0.08, p < 0.001), barriers, and cues to action, provided a significant fit. However, the combined TPB model did not significantly explain the variability in vaccine uptake (F-statistic = 2.025, p = 0.109). The study underscores the necessity for targeted public health interventions and longitudinal research to enhance vaccine uptake and provides insights for effective public health strategies and educational campaigns in Kogi State and similar contexts.