Benue State University, Makurdi

RELIGIOSITY AND HEALTH LOCUS OF CONTROL AS PREDICTORS OF COVID-19 VACCINE HESITANCY AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY MAKURDI

Raymond Tartenger Tachin, Simon Agbo Itodo & Sani Ahmadu Sule Omaku

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy refers to a delay in acceptance or refusal of the vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services. A good number of COVID-19 vaccines are in circulation for use in Benue State but the extent of its utilization and associated factors among undergraduate students is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if religiosity and health locus of control predict COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among undergraduate students of Benue State University, Makurdi. A correlation design was used and stratify sampling was employed to select 120 respondents from faculty of social sciences. Data were collected using three standardized scales. Data were analysed using multiple regression and independent t-test. The results of hypothesis one revealed that organizational religiosity (â=.189; P<.05) and Intrinsic/subjective religiosity (â=.280; P<.01) positively and significantly predicted COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among undergraduates of Benue State University Makurdi, F(3,116) = 4.729; P<.01]. It was also revealed that Internal health locus of control (â=.271; P<.01); powerful others health locus of control (â=.327; P<.01) and chance health locus of control (â=.223; P<.05) positively and significantly predicted COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among undergraduates of Benue State University. Further analysis showed that religiosity and locus of control jointly predicted COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.The study concluded that religiosity with health locus of control appears to have impact in the decision to be inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine. There is therefore need for guidelines for implementing targeted public health campaigns to increase vaccine uptake among religious dominated students in the University campus.

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