Perceptions and Cues to Action as Predictors of Nurses’ Vaccination Intentions at Two Primary Health Care Facilities in Ghana

Abstract

Uptake of hepatitis B vaccination by health care providers remains suboptimal in Ghana, although it is considered an effective strategy against the hepatitis B virus. This study aimed to identify the predictors of nurses’ hepatitis B vaccination intentions at two municipal health care facilities in Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was adopted. A section of the health belief model-based questionnaire was administered to 181 nurses conveniently sampled from the two facilities. Data analysis was done using Statistical Product and Service Solutions software version 23.0. Frequencies and percentages were used to assess the demographic characteristics of participants. Pearson r coefficients were used to assess the intercorrelations between individual perceptions, and the cues to action on vaccination intentions. Simple and multiple regression was used to estimate the prediction of individual perceptions, and the cues to action on hepatitis B vaccination intentions of nurses. The findings showed that nurse-perceived benefits and cues to action were positive and significantly related to hepatitis B vaccination intentions of nurses (r 5 0.14, P, 0.05; r 5 0.17, P, 0.05). Perceived susceptibility and perceived barrier were negative and significantly related to vaccine intentions (r 5 20.13, P, 0.05; r 5 20.24, P, 0.01). Notably, perceived barrier predicted hepatitis B vaccination intentions (b 5 20.22, t 5 22.48, P 5 0.01). Nurses’ vaccination behavioral intentions were positive. It was recommended that perceived barriers to hepatitis B vaccination such as vaccination ineffectiveness, time constraints, high costs, and side effects should be addressed to increase nurses’ vaccination uptake.