FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ATTITUDE OF 400 LEVEL NURSING STUDENTS IN MADONNA UNIVERSITY, ELELE TOWARDS COVID-19 VACCINATION

Only 8.4% of the Nigerian population have received at least one dose and 3.8% have been fully vaccinated, a significant number of people have not been vaccinated against the virus. This study was carried out with the aim of finding the factors influencing the attitude of 400 level Nursing students in Madonna University, Elele towards COVID-19 vaccination. Three specific objectives and research questions were formulated to guide the study which employed a quantitative descriptive survey design, using a self-designed questionnaire as instrument for eliciting data from the respondents. The data was descriptively summarized with the use of frequency, percentages and tables. Results revealed that; an in-depth knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines 125 (93.3%), the speed of development of the COVID-19 vaccine 97 (72.4%), the unforeseen side effects of the vaccine 128 (92.8%), Lack of trust in government, health officials and alternative sources to handle the pandemic situation 111 (80.4%), Being enlisted in susceptible groups and having increased risk of contracting the disease 92 (66.7%), Being more proactive in health matters 108 (76.6%) and Being in the healthcare sector (Nursing student) 118 (85.5%). Findings from this research showed that the attitude of the respondents towards the vaccination was positively influenced by; having in-depth knowledge about COVID-19 vaccine 127 (92%), being proactive in health matters 108 (78.3%), being a nursing student 116 (86.2%); and was negatively influenced by; the short time interval used to develop the vaccine 117 (84.8%), The unforeseen side effects also negatively influences their attitude 94 (68.1%) and lack of trust in government, health officials and others to handle the pandemic 126 (91.3%). It was recommended that Health care authorities should take action that would increase vaccine acceptance by working towards organising enlightenment campaigns for populations (especially susceptible groups) about COVID-19 vaccines, clearly stating the possible side effects following vaccination and overruling misconceptions about hastened development of the vaccine.