Personality Traits as Key Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Healthcare Workers in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) pandemic has posed a significant global challenge, necessitating the development and administration of vaccines to halt its spread. Nevertheless, there is limited information on the predictors, patterns, and personality variables influencing COVID‑19 vaccine uptake among Nigerian health‑care workers (HCWs). Aim: The study set to assess level of factors including personality factors that influence acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccines among.HCWs in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: From August 9 to October 11, 2021, a web‑based, cross‑sectional survey was conducted on 300 HCWs in Nigeria, aged 19 and above, with social media access and English language proficiency. Descriptive statistics, Chi‑square, and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data on the SPSS version 20. Results: The findings revealed that while 64% of those who participated in the study received the first dosage of the COVID‑19 vaccine, only 48.3% returned for the second dose. The impression of heightened susceptibility to contracting COVID‑19 was the primary reason for vaccination uptake. Although education level was associated with vaccination uptake, it did not predict it independently. The age distribution, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and high vulnerability as a rationale for receiving a vaccine were all the independent predictors of vaccine uptake. Conclusion: This study reveals that despite their role as vaccination advocates, HCWs can exhibit hesitancy toward novel vaccines. To increase vaccine uptake among HCWs and the general population, it is crucial to recognise the factors that influence vaccine acceptance among them, including individual personality variables, and incorporate this understanding into vaccination promotion programs.