COVID-19 VACCINE ACCEPTANCE AND IT'S ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONGST NURSES IN LAUTECH TEACHING HOSPITAL, OGBOMOSO, OYO STATE

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a pandemic caused by a novel human coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus previously referred to as 2019-nCoV. The pandemic has overwhelmed health systems globally and drained substantial resources. Nurses are vital human resources within the healthcare system; therefore, their protection is crucial, especially given their high vulnerability to infection. As frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19, nurses are exposed not only to the risk of infection but also to psychological distress, long working hours, fatigue, occupational stigma, and even physical violence. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and its associated factors among nurses at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The study population consisted of 81 nurses at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso. Data were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire with informed consent from participants. Responses were analyzed using simple frequencies and percentages, while statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 21. RESULTS: The study assessed COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and its associated factors. The demographic characteristics showed that 27.2% of respondents were male and 72.8% were female. Age distribution was as follows: 18–25 years (13.6%), 26–33 years (25.9%), 34–41 years (38.3%), and 42 years and above (22.2%). Marital status revealed that 11.1% were single, 70.4% married, and 18.6% engaged. In terms of professional rank, respondents included Nursing Officers (38.3%), Senior Nursing Officers (38.2%), Chief Nursing Officers (12.3%), and Assistant Directors of Nursing Services (7.4%). A total of 78 respondents (96.3%) had received the COVID-19 vaccine, while 3 (3.7%) had not. Among those vaccinated, 27 (33.3%) reported changes in their well-being, while 54 (66.7%) reported no changes. Additionally, 54 (66.7%) experienced side effects, while 27 (33.3%) did not. Hypothesis testing revealed that there is a significant relationship between age and vaccine acceptance (p = 0.0029, χ² = 12.973), while no significant relationship was found between gender and vaccine acceptance (p = 0.7379, χ² = 26.631). CONCLUSION: This study concludes that the majority of nurses at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital have accepted the COVID-19 vaccine. Higher levels of education and health literacy were found to positively influence vaccine acceptance, as they enhance understanding of vaccine benefits. Additionally, government policies and regulations were identified as important factors influencing vaccine uptake. Keywords: COVID-19, Vaccine Acceptance, Nurses, Health Literacy Word Count: 319