A cross-sectional survey of COVID-19 testing status among vaccine recipients in Gombe State, North-Eastern Nigeria

The COVID-19 testing status and vaccine acceptance are two key components of any COVID-19 control program as they are important in evaluating the prevalence of the disease as well as curbing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Hence, the aim of this study was to conduct a non-probability cross-sectional survey of COVID-19 vaccine recipients in Gombe State to determine their testing status and socio-demographic profiles. A total of 872 vaccine recipients were included in this study. The descriptive analysis revealed that the median age group was 30-39 years. More than half (57.7%, n = 503) of the study participants earned 50,000 Naira or less and approximately 51% of the vaccine recipients (n = 444) had tertiary education. Approximately one-third (35.1%, n = 306/872) of the study participants have been previously screened for SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 positivity rate among them was 6.9% (n = 21/306). Some 108 (18.2%) persons reported Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI). The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the age [30-39 years, (OR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.74; p = 0.041)], monthly income [150,000 naira and above (OR: 10.43; 95% CI: 2.22, 21.88; p < 0.001)], and background [health-related, (OR: 6.30; 95% CI: 4.35, 9.13; p = 0.01)] of the vaccine recipients was significantly associated with the COVID-19 testing status. The COVID-19 testing status of vaccine recipients is low. Hence, mass COVID-19 screening strategies should be implemented together with improved vaccine advocacy to focus on vaccine safety and efficacy.