Guarding Against COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitance in Ghana: Analytic View of Personal Health Engagement and Vaccine Related Attitude

Overview

Journal Hum Vaccin Immunother

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2021 Dec 14

PMID 34905469

Citations 7

Authors

Prince Clement Addo

Nora Bakabbey Kulbo

Kwamena Ato Sagoe

Andy Asare Ohemeng

Enyonam Amuzu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure against COVID-19 spread. While the WHO and other stakeholders fear vaccine nationalism, vaccine-hesitancy has become a topical issue among experts. Based on the evidence of vaccine hesitancy among Blacks, we explore the interrelatedness of psycho-social factors (personal health engagement, fear of COVID-19, perceived susceptibility, and vaccine-related attitude) likely to thwart vaccine acceptance in Africa. We sampled 1768 Ghanaian adults over 2 weeks from December 14, 2020, the first day a successful COVID-19 vaccine was administered in the US using an online survey. A higher level of personal health engagement was found to promote vaccine-related attitudes while reducing COVID-19 related fears, susceptibility, and vaccine hesitancy. Fear of COVID-19 and perceived vulnerability are significant contributors to the willingness to accept vaccination. This is an indication that health engagement alone will not promote vaccination willingness, but the fear and higher level of perceived susceptibility out of personal evaluation are essential factors in vaccination willingness. We recommend promoting health educational messages on COVID-19 vaccination ahead of any vaccination rollout in Africa, and such messages should contain some element of fear appeal.

Citing Articles

Co-designing and pilot testing a digital game to improve vaccine attitudes and misinformation resistance in Ghana.

Cook J, Lepage C, Hopkins K, Cook W, Kolog E, Thomson A Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2024; 20(1):2407204.

PMID: 39352190 PMC: 11445924. DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2407204.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Ghana: A systematic review.

Akrong G, Hiadzi R, Donkor A, Anafo D PLoS One. 2024; 19(6):e0305993.

PMID: 38917063 PMC: 11198846. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305993.

Understanding COVID-19 vaccination behaviors and intentions in Ghana: A Behavioral Insights (BI) study.

Vepachedu S, Nurzenska A, Lohiniva A, Hudi A, Deku S, Birungi J PLoS One. 2024; 19(2):e0292532.

PMID: 38335165 PMC: 10857727. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292532.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Latin America and Africa: a scoping review.

Goncalves B, Matos C, Ferreira J, Itagyba R, Moco V, Couto M Cad Saude Publica. 2023; 39(8):e00041423.

PMID: 37556613 PMC: 10494688. DOI: 10.1590/0102-311XPT041423.

Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics influencing the hesitancy and refusal of COVID-19 vaccine in Ghana.

Kwasi Sampene A, Li C, Oteng Agyeman F, Brenya R Ther Adv Vaccines Immunother. 2023; 11:25151355221149336.

PMID: 36778098 PMC: 9912038. DOI: 10.1177/25151355221149336.

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