Assessing the predictors of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance among pregnant women in the Sekondi Takoradi metropolis of Western Ghana using protection motivation theory

WHO recommends COVID-19 vaccination as one of the most effective measures for preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes. However, the success of vaccine use depends on its acceptability. This study explores the motivating factors for COVID-19 vaccination acceptance among pregnant women in the Secondi Takoradi metropolis of the Western Region of Ghana during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey of 334 respondents was conducted using systematic sampling from the sub-district antenatal care registers. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using STATA. Pearson’s Chi-Square test was used to assess the relationship between respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics and Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) constructs, and regression analyses were employed to predict the predictors of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance. Pearson’s Chi-Square test showed that the number of children a respondent has was significantly related to the PMT constructs of vulnerability (p = 0.015), severity (p = 0.001), respondents’ self-efficacy (p = 0.001), and response efficacy (p = 0.045). The bivariate regression analyses also showed that vulnerability, severity, self-efficacy, and response efficacy were predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Risk communication efforts should focus on women with fewer or no children. Also, the design of epidemic risk communication tools should be based on protection motivation. To enhance vaccine acceptance, the ministry in charge of communication and the National Commission for Civic Education should implement measures to ensure that only accurate information is provided during epidemics. Not applicable. Number of children influences epidemic risk perception and vaccine acceptance. Perceptions of the severity of an epidemic influence vaccine acceptance. Perceptions of vulnerability to an epidemic influence vaccine acceptance. Perceptions of the ability to undertake epidemic preventive measures influence vaccine acceptance. Perceptions of the efficacy of preventive measures influence vaccine acceptance.