Covid Vaccination Uptake amongst Public Transport Crew in Meru Matatu Stage, Meru County
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Date
2023-08Author
Thuranira, Muthee Justin
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations is an essential aspect towards enabling effective
control on the spread of the virus. It is important that matatu crew, together with the
vulnerable groups should receive vaccination to lower the incidence and disease
transmission rate. In the Covid 19 vaccination campaign this group has been greatly
sidelined. The study was aimed at determining predictors of Corona Virus vaccine
uptake amongst Matatu crew within the Meru matatu stage. The study therefore
assessed the individual factors, established the contextual factors, evaluated perceptions
and established experiences that predict uptake of the Corona Virus 19 vaccine amongst
the Matatu crew in Meru matatu stage. The study population was Matatu crew in Meru
matatu stage. Sampling size determination was done using the Fischer’s formula. The
sampling technique was systematic among the drivers, touts and conductors in Meru
Matatu stage. While purposive selection was done among the key informants. The study
used of questionnaire for quantitative and for qualitative data collection an interview
guide was used. Data analysis from the self- administered questionnaire was analyzed
quantitatively using descriptive statistics frequencies, proportions. Chi-square analysis
was used to capture associations amongst the categorical variables. Further, statistical
significance was placed at p<0.05. Qualitative data was analyzed through the use of
thematic analysis. Results are presented in tables, pie charts and bar graphs for ease of
understanding. The study found a low uptake of Covid 19 vaccine among the Matatu
operators. The individual characteristics associated with COVID -19 uptake on
different aspects of knowledge included knowledge on mode of administration Chi
square =110.45, d.f= 4, P value<0.00, knowledge on the doses required, Chi square =
136.521, d.f=4 and p value <0.000. Contextual issues including politics and sources of
information were also to be factors influencing vaccine uptake among the Matatu
operations. This study concluded that there was low uptake of Covid -19 vaccine among
the Matatu crew in Meru Uptake was influenced by age, gender, marital status, nature
of duty as well as the level of education a participant holds.On Individual factors
associated with COVID – 19 vaccine uptake, knowledge and beliefs were statistically
significant. Knowledge on mode of administration (Chi square =110.45, d.f= 4, P value
<0.00) and knowledge on the doses required (Chi square = 136.521, d.f=4 and p value
<0.000) were found to be statistically significant. Belief that COVID-19 is preventable
was associated with vaccination for COVID-19 Chi square, 129.02, df=3 and P value
<0.00. Belief that COVID-19 is manmade was also significantly associated with
vaccination for COVID-19 Chi square106.584, df=4 and P value <0.00.Only a small
proportion (9%) had prior experience with other vaccines in adulthood. The study
therefore concluded that knowledge and beliefs influenced uptake of Covid 19 vaccine.
Mass media and Sacco influence were Contextual factors associated with Covid 19
Vaccine uptake. The study concluded that communication and media, Politics and
Sacco influence can significantly influence Covid 19 vaccine uptake. Therefore, the
study recommended that the ministry of health and other partners to come up with
programs to undo the misconception towards COVID-19 vaccine, and that there was
continuous need to educate the masses and create awareness on risks and benefits
associated with Covid 19.
Publisher
KeMU