Assessment of The Level of Awareness And Acceptance of the Malaria Vaccine Among Medical Doctors in Benue State, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Keywords:
Acceptance, Awareness, Malaria Vaccine, Medical Doctor, Perceived BarrierAbstract
Malaria continues to be a significant public health threat in Nigeria, despite ongoing measures to combat the disease. Healthcare professionals, especially doctors, play a crucial role in advocating for and adopting malaria vaccines. However, there is limited research on their perspectives regarding malaria vaccines. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness, acceptance, and perceived barriers to the malaria vaccine among medical doctors in Benue State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between March and April 2025. Data were collected from 67 medical doctors using a structured online questionnaire distributed via professional WhatsApp groups using a convenience sampling technique. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Awareness of the malaria vaccine was exceptionally high at 97%. However, the majority (62.7%) sourced their information from online and social media platforms, while only 10.4% cited official public health campaigns. Despite a high acceptance rate (91%) and readiness to prescribe the vaccine, significant concerns were identified. The primary barrier to implementation was limited in-depth clinical knowledge among healthcare professionals (70.1%), followed by concerns regarding vaccine safety and side effects (59.7%), and potential cost (28.4%). Medical doctors in Benue State demonstrate high awareness and acceptance of the malaria vaccine, establishing a strong foundation for its roll-out. However, the reliance on informal information sources and a self-reported lack of clinical knowledge are critical barriers. The government must initiate active, structured, and evidence-based educational campaigns to equip doctors to confidently advocate for and administer the vaccine.
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