CITIZEN’S PERCEPTION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF ENFORCEMENT AS AN APPROACH IN MASS COVID – 19 VACCINATION IN DELTA STATE

Abstract

The study examined public trust, government image and citizens perception of the announcement of enforcement as an approach in mass COVID-19 vaccination in Delta State, Nigeria. Survey research method and in-depth interviews were employed in the execution of the study. Two major theories: Theory of Reasoned Action and Health Belief Model formed the framework for the study. Data were gathered from  workers of Federal and State governments ministries in Asaba, Delta State. The sample size of 400 was arrived at using Philip Meyers table, Taro Yamane's formula and suggestion of Stock and Hocking. Purposive Sampling Method was employed and the questionnaires were administered to the staff of the ministries. Qualitative data were also collected from 8 workers in the Federal and State ministries. Quantitative data were presented descriptively while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Findings revealed that all the respondents had heard of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines and vaccination through the media and the messages were treated as important. The study also revealed that half of the respondents saw enforcement approach as unnecessary step and 88% of respondents would take the vaccine if motivated by incentives or palliatives. It was recommended that the government enforcement approach to mass vaccination in Nigeria should be accompanied by a comprehensive communication strategy, transparency, fairness and community engagement; that incentives and palliatives approach should also be considered.