Department of Philosophy, University of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi.
Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi.
Sci Rep. 2024 Apr 26;14(1):9578. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-60042-5.
This study assessed the association among knowledge, attitudes and uptake of COVID-19 vaccine in Malawi, examining demographic factors influencing these variables. The study employed a quantitative research design. It thus sampled 394 participants from Malawi's three districts of Zomba, Dowa and Nkhatabay. Results showed that 163 (41.4%) participants had low levels of knowledge of COVID-19 vaccine, 231 (58.6%) had high levels of knowledge, 237 (60.2%) had a positive attitude, and 156 (39.8%) had a negative attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine. On vaccine uptake, the study found that only 29 (17%) male and 52 (23%) female participants had received the vaccine. Further, participants with low levels of knowledge and a positive attitude towards the vaccine were 5.9 times more likely (p-value = 0.001) to be vaccinated than those with low levels of knowledge and negative attitudes towards the vaccine. On the other hand, those with high knowledge and a positive attitude towards the vaccine were 8.2 times more likely (p-value < 0.001) to be vaccinated compared to those with low knowledge and negative attitudes towards the vaccine. The findings highlight the importance of vaccine-related knowledge and attitudes in shaping uptake and reveal disparities across demographic groups. To improve vaccination coverage in Malawi, targeted interventions focusing on enhancing COVID-19 vaccine knowledge, addressing attitudinal barriers, and countering misinformation are needed. Strategies should be tailored to reach populations with lower uptake, such as males, younger adults, and those with lower education levels. Strengthening public health messaging, engaging community leaders, and building trust in healthcare systems are crucial for promoting widespread acceptance and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in Malawi.
这项研究评估了马拉维的 COVID-19 疫苗知识、态度和接种情况之间的关联，同时研究了影响这些变量的人口因素。该研究采用了定量研究设计，从马拉维的三个地区（宗巴、多瓦和恩卡塔贝）中抽取了 394 名参与者。结果显示，163 名（41.4%）参与者对 COVID-19 疫苗的了解程度较低，231 名（58.6%）参与者对 COVID-19 疫苗的了解程度较高，237 名（60.2%）对 COVID-19 疫苗持积极态度，而 156 名（39.8%）对 COVID-19 疫苗持消极态度。在疫苗接种方面，研究发现只有 29 名（17%）男性和 52 名（23%）女性参与者接种了疫苗。此外，对疫苗持低水平知识和积极态度的参与者接种疫苗的可能性是对疫苗持低水平知识和消极态度的参与者的 5.9 倍（p 值=0.001）。另一方面，对疫苗具有高水平知识和积极态度的参与者接种疫苗的可能性是对疫苗具有低水平知识和消极态度的参与者的 8.2 倍（p 值<0.001）。研究结果强调了疫苗相关知识和态度在塑造接种情况方面的重要性，并揭示了不同人口群体之间的差异。为了提高马拉维的疫苗接种率，需要采取有针对性的干预措施，重点提高 COVID-19 疫苗知识，解决态度障碍，并纠正错误信息。应制定针对低接种率人群的策略，如男性、年轻成年人和教育程度较低的人群。加强公共卫生宣传，让社区领导参与进来，并建立对医疗保健系统的信任，对于在马拉维促进 COVID-19 疫苗的广泛接受和接种至关重要。
