TITLE:
Knowledge Attitudes and Practices of Students Regarding the Vaccine against Covid-19. Case of Students Living on the University Campuses of the University of Lubumbashi
AUTHORS:
Martin Banza Mwana Bute, Cathy Kahite Lugoma, Yannick Mutombo Mupanda, Veddy Bonga Numba Watanga, Mbuyu Umba Djino, Placide Kangweji Mulaji, Edmond Kalinde Nkomba, Umba Thierry Clément, Jean-Luc Banze Lukanda, François Lumbwe Yemba, Francis Kalombo Umba, Laurene Faida Amisa, Christian Makali Ntamwenge, Antoine Kasongo Nyandwe, Néné Moma Kasongo, Balthas Kabeya, Jacques Camille Musolo Kwambamba, Kabyla Ilunga Benjamin, Simon Ilunga Kandolo
KEYWORDS:
COVID-19, Acceptability, Vaccine, University, Lubumbashi
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.9 No.7,
July
26,
2022
ABSTRACT: Introduction: More than a year after its appearance, SARS-CoV-2 continues its global race. Scientists around the world are making rapid progress in developing safe and effective vaccines that will help reduce morbidity as well as mortality from COVID-19. Several vaccines have been developed and vaccination campaigns launched across the world, with hopes of controlling the pandemic. Methodology: We conducted a descriptive study with an analytical aim to contribute to the fight against COVID-19 in the university residences of Lubumbashi. The data was encoded in Excel and exported to Epi info for analysis. Results: Nearly six out of ten students agreed to be vaccinated. The refusal of the vaccine was motivated in 95.24% of cases by post-injection manifestations and in 4.76% of cases by lack of confidence in the vaccine. The post-injection manifestations as well as the confidence in the vaccine are the basis of the refusal to be vaccinated (P = 0.00). Confidence in the vaccine is influenced by post-injection manifestations (P = 0.00). In 66.8% of cases, students always observe barrier gestures, while 33.2% only respect them at their faculty or school. We have observed that nearly three (3) out of ten students consider COVID-19 to be bad luck 13.5% as one of the diseases of dirty hands. Conclusion: This study provides key information related to medical student vaccination in Lubumbashi. In conclusion, we notice that the acceptability of the vaccine against COVID-19 constitutes a public health problem, which is why we recommend that health authorities be able to advocate for awareness and respect for barrier measures.