Pattern of acceptability to yellow fever vaccination among skilled and unskilled workers in selected African countries

Seyi Samson Enitan (Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria.)
Akele Richard Yomi (Department of Biomedical Science, School of Applied Science, University of Brighton, London, United Kingdom)
Eyiuche Doris Ezigbo (Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences & Technology University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria)
Esther Ngozi Adejumo (Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Public and Allied Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria)
Kirellos Said Abbas (Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt)
Rawan Raad Hassan Elrufai (Faculty of Medicine and General Surgery, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan)
Solomon Umukoro (Clinical Laboratories Department Medical Research Council Unit of The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, Banjul. The Gambia)
Tsague Metago Causette Laura (Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Douala University, IRAD, Cameroon)
Samuel Sunday Eke (Biology Unit, Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, Nigeria)
Seto Tunrayo Aladenika (Immunology Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine. University of Nigeria Enugu Campus. Enugu State, Nigeria)
Abiodun Emmanuel Durosinmi (Department of Medical Laboratory Science, State Hospital, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria)
Grace Eleojo Itodo (Microbiology Department, Federal Medical Centre Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria)
Eguagie Osareniro Osakue (Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Public and Allied Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria)
Effiong Joseph Effiong (Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Public and Allied Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria)
Nafisat Eleojo Abubakar (Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria)
Ernest Chiuike Ohanu (Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied health science PAMO University of Medical science, Elenlenwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria)
Gbise Daniel Sudan (Makurdi Epidemiology unit, National Veterinary Research Institute PMB 01 Vom, Nigeria)
Emmanuel Ochigbo Udeh (Centre for Integrated Health Programs, Kikuyu Close, Off Nairobi Street, Abuja, Nigeria)
Adesola Oyekunle Oyekale (Department of Chemical Pathology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Nigeria)
Imoleayo Elijah Olorunnisola (Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Public and Allied Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria)

Trends in Infection and Global Health
Vol 3, No 2 (2023): December 2023

Yellow fever still represents a major public health threat in Africa largely due to inadequate vaccine supply, insufficient vaccine coverage, increase in people without of vaccination living in endemic areas and occupation of individuals. The aim of this study was  to assess the acceptability to yellow fever vaccination among skilled and unskilled workers in selected African countries. This cross sectional online survey was carried out between 19 January 2022 and 31 December 2022, in five African countries (Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan and the Gambia). The responses to the survey were collected by Survey Monkey and the links were distributed via Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. Data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaire, and analysed. A total of 1340 respondents (601 skilled workers, 739 unskilled workers) participated in the survey of which 616 of them indicated had yellow fever vaccination. Proportion of the unskilled workers with history of vaccination was less than those of the skilled workers (35.5% vs 58.9%). Location (OR=31.04, p=0.000), age (OR=146.95, p=0.001), religion (OR=24.42, p=0.012), education (OR=116.41, p=0.001), marital status (OR=68.83, p=0.001) and monthly household income (OR=87.62, p=0.001)  were significantly associated with acceptance to receive  YF vaccine. In addition, more of the skilled workers were very willing to receive the YF vaccine compared to their unskilled counterparts (p0.001). This study suggests that unskilled workers are less likely to be vaccinated against yellow fever than skilled workers, hence the need for strategic public health interventions to reach this category of people in the society.