Knowledge, attitude and willingness to accept the RTS,S malaria vaccine among mothers in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To assess mothers’ knowledge, attitude, and practices to malaria and its prevention as well as mothers’ willingness to accept the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used to administer questionnaires to 180 mothers within six public secondary health facilities in Abuja, Nigeria. Regression analyses were used to assess the effect of maternal demographics and exposure to malaria related messages on the outcome measures. Results Knowledge of malaria preventive measures was approximately 59% (124/180). Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated ethnicity, education and number of messages or training on malaria were associated with mother’s knowledge of 3 or more preventive measures against malaria. About 30% (36/180) of respondents were aware of malaria vaccines but only four percent (7/180) had heard of RTS,S. Young maternal age (OR, 2.4; p = 0.03), self-employment (OR, 2.55; p = 0.04) and formal employment (OR, 3.74; p = 0.03) were associated with no prior knowledge of malaria vaccine. Ninety-one percent (163/180) had positive attitude to malaria vaccine and 98% (176/180) were willing to allow their child(ren) to be immunized with RTS,S despite the efficacy of the vaccine, route of administration and number of doses. Conclusion Knowledge of malaria preventive measures does not correlate with knowledge of RTS,S. Although willingness to accept RTS,S is high, consistent targeted messaging on RTS,S would be required to improve community knowledge and attitude prior to implementation to ensure maximum uptake.