Myths, misinformation, and perception of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among market women in Ghana

Priscilla Gyemfah  Boateng; Samuel  Agyei-Mensah; Charlotte  Wrigley Asante; Ebenezer Goodman Ashie  Nikoi

Priscilla Gyemfah Boateng Department of Geography & Resource Development, P. O. Box LG 59, University of Ghana, Legon. Accra, Ghana
Samuel Agyei-Mensah Department of Geography & Resource Development, P. O. Box LG 59, University of Ghana, Legon. Accra, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6418-393X
Charlotte Wrigley Asante Department of Geography & Resource Development, P. O. Box LG 59, University of Ghana, Legon. Accra, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7538-7452
Ebenezer Goodman Ashie Nikoi Department of Geography & Resource Development, P. O. Box LG 59, University of Ghana, Legon. Accra, Ghana https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9947-5842

Keywords: Risk perception, social media misinformation, informal sector workers, health communication

Abstract

Scepticism of the COVID-19 vaccine is a chronic issue influenced by myths, misinformation, and attitudes. Market women, a critical part of the informal sector in Ghana, may have special barriers to vaccination. Understanding their behaviour regarding vaccines is important for creating suitable health promotion strategies. A mixed-methods approach, including quantitative and qualitative methods, was used in the study. A cross-sectional survey of 324 market women, including 35.5% from the New Market and 64.5% from the Old Market, was conducted in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality. Statistical tests, including chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, and thematic approaches, were used to examine the sociodemographic risk factors, perceptions, and social media’s role in vaccine demand in a climate of vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine hesitancy is influenced by demographic factors such as low education, marital status, and social media misinformation. Additionally, women with low perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 and concerned about vaccine side effects were more likely to be hesitant. Logistic regression analysis showed that women who believed in myths and misinformation about COVID-19 vaccination were four times more likely to be hesitant. Developing effective strategies to reduce vaccine hesitancy should prioritise addressing women’s misconceptions.