Predictors for vaccine hesitancy among nursing students in Namibia

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are a priority group targeted for vaccination because they are greatly exposed to infectious agents.

To determine the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and associated risk factors for vaccine hesitancy to recommend vaccine uptake strategies among student nurses.

The study was carried out at the University of Namibia, main campus in Windhoek.

A cross-sectional study was undertaken using a proportionate stratified sampling method. The total sample for the study was 509 students. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 29 was used to analyse data. Frequencies and proportions were calculated. Bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were conducted to pronounce the predictors for vaccine hesitancy.

Only 31.40% students were vaccinated against COVID-19. Out of the vaccinated, 41.80% (p < 0.001) were previously infected with COVID-19. Participants who were not HCWs before nursing school were most likely not to be vaccinated (p < 0.001). Most unvaccinated students were hesitant because of a lack of information about the COVID-19 vaccine's side effects (50.36%) and not knowing its effectiveness (38.13%). A total 60.80% of the participants believed a vaccine was needed to overcome the pandemic.

We recommend the creation of targeted awareness campaigns that shed more light on the benefits of vaccination and vaccine side effects.

The study identifies key factors that can be targeted to change student nurses' behaviour towards vaccination and offers valuable data that can inform preparedness and response strategies for future pandemics in Namibia and similar regions.