Knowledge, perception, and disposition of healthcare workers toward malaria vaccine in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC)

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, perception, and disposition among health professionals towards malaria vaccine at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC). The objectives are to: Evaluate the knowledge of health professionals about currently available malaria vaccine, assess the attitude of health professionals towards the recommendation of malaria vaccines to patients and the wider community and explore associations between factors like professional background, years of experience, or access to training resources and knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes towards the malaria vaccine. Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative study design was employed, with data collected from 154 healthcare professionals at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) using a structured questionnaire. Results: The findings revealed high awareness of the malaria vaccine among healthcare workers (84.42%). However, about 87% reported less than average knowledge, with only 11.04% having received formal training on the vaccine. While 90.26% of respondents expressed willingness to recommend the vaccine, significant barriers were identified, including a lack of awareness (69.7%), costs (44.7%), and cultural beliefs (38.2%). Statistical analysis indicated significant association between religion and attitude towards the vaccine ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: The study highlights the need for targeted educational campaigns and training programs to enhance healthcare workers’ knowledge and confidence in malaria vaccination efforts. Addressing systemic barriers such as cost, cultural misconceptions, and infrastructure limitations will be essential for the successful implementation of malaria vaccine programs in Nigeria.