SARS-CoV-2 vaccine uptake, knowledge and attitude among health workers in Nairobi, Kenya: a quantitative study

The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is having, and will continue to have, devastating indirect consequences, particularly in developing countries. Understanding vaccine acceptance, knowledge, and attitudes among healthcare workers is crucial, as they influence public opinion, community uptake, and vaccination decision-making. This study aimed to identify variables associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccine uptake, knowledge, and attitude among health workers in level 2 and 3 facilities in Nairobi, Kenya.

A quantitative questionnaire was distributed to healthcare workers, and chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, t-tests, and one-way ANOVA were conducted to determine associations between variables.

Vaccine uptake was significantly associated with knowledge index (p = 0.04), and nurses, assistant nurses, and physicians were more likely to be vaccinated than other health professions (p = 0.03). Knowledge index was significantly associated with age (p = 0.03), being female (p = 0.03), years of experience (p = 0.02), being vaccinated (p = 0.01), and attitude index (p < 0.01). A significant association was found between knowledge index and subcounty (p = 0.03). Dagoretti South, Embakasi East and Westlands had the lowest knowledge indexes among the subcounties. Attitude index was significantly associated with years of experience (p = 0.02), being vaccinated (p < 0.01), knowledge index (p < 0.01), and profession (p = 0.03).

Despite high vaccination uptake and generally positive attitudes, essential knowledge gaps regarding COVID-19 vaccines persist. The knowledge gaps include COVID-19 vaccine myths such as believing that, or being unsure whether, the vaccine can alter genes, increase autoimmune diseases, or cause COVID-19 disease to the receiver. These findings highlight the importance of addressing vaccine misconceptions and improving health literacy to strengthen vaccination strategies and pandemic preparedness among primary health workers.