Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on COVID-19 Vaccine among Adolescents of Selected Primary Schools in Livingstone, Zambia

Abstract

The covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global health, emphasizing the need for effective vaccination strategies. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices on covid-19 vaccines among adolescents in Livingstone district, Zambia. The study focused on pupils in the district, providing valuable insights into this specific population, by investigating the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices among adolescents, this study aims at contributing to the development of effective public health strategies. This study was conducted on pupils in two Government primary schools offering free primary education in Livingstone district, Zambia. The study design that was used in this research was a case-study. The study used a qualitative research approach because it aimed at acquiring an in-depth understanding of what existed on the knowledge and attitudes of adolescents on the Covid-19 vaccinations. The qualitative data that was obtained from the open-ended questionnaires, interviews, and observations produced six distinguishing themes: theme one (1)- Vaccine information andsource, theme (2)- Adolescent's perception on safety, risk and benefits of covid-19 vaccines; theme three (3)- Observed side-effects, theme four (4)- Attitudes and beliefs on vaccine necessity, theme five (5)- Attitude and belief on vaccine hesitancy, influence and decision making, and theme six (6) - Perception and adherence to preventive measures. The findings from this study focused on the adolescents aged twelve (12) and above who were yet to get the vaccine. The findings from this study are useful for informing public health strategies for improving willingness and uptake of the vaccine among adolescents. It is thus important to prioritize adolescence vaccination and ensure that young people are too, protected from Covid-19 by addressing their specific concerns, countering misinformation and emphasizing on safety and effectiveness.