INTRODUCTION

Previously known as SARS-CoV2, the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, is still active in causing respiratory dysfunction [1]. A large family of ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses, including Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV), are responsible for a variety of ailments, from the ordinary cold to more severe conditions [2]. The most often reported COVID-19 symptoms are; fever, dry cough, fatigue, myalgia, shortness of breath, and dyspnea [3, 4]. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) and pertinent public health organizations constantly update this list of symptoms. There is proof, for instance, that newborns who were once believed to be immune to serious COVID-19 issues may acquire a rare and potentially fatal inflammatory illness linked to the virus [5-7]. Several places in the United States and Europe have also reported cases of pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome (PMIS), with some children experiencing organ failure and a few passing away in the New York region [5]. The bodies of these kids are likely to be severely inflamed because of the virus, which is thought to trigger excessive immune reactions [5]. Possible symptoms include a rash, swollen hands and feet, extremely red eyes, an ache in the stomach and a rash. The ensuing clinical situation is similar to Kawasaki disease, an uncommon baby illness with equivalent symptoms that, in extreme cases, can cause heart damage and blood vessel expansion [5, 6]. Recent studies suggest that it significantly affects the cardiovascular (CV) system by direct myocardial damage, a severe systemic inflammatory response, hypoxia, right heart strain related to ARDS, lung injury, and plaque rupture secondary to inflammation [8]. Primary cardiac symptoms have included acute myocarditis, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, and abnormal coagulation [8].

In January 2020 and March 2020, the World Health Organization classified the disease as a pandemic [9] and a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. COVID-19 has been linked to around 109 million illnesses and 2.4 million fatalities since February 16, 2021 [10]. Since the end of 2019 [10, 11], the COVID-19 pandemic, which was brought on by infection with the brand-new SARS-CoV-2 virus, has resulted in crises in the world's public health and economy. The disease's symptoms range from asymptomatic infections to mild respiratory symptoms, severe pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, and death [11]. Despite some socio-political controversies and scientific reservations, such as those related to vaccine safety, and concerns linked to antibody-dependent disease enhancement (ADE) in prior coronavirus animal vaccine studies [12], the consensus is that an effective vaccine should be developed as soon as possible to reduce morbidity and mortality [13]. In recent years, academic institutions and corporate groups from several nations have advanced research and development and achieved historic successes [14]. The bulk of COVID-19 vaccine candidates are based on DNA or mRNA vaccines based on S antigen, subunit vaccinations, viral vector vaccines, and inactivated vaccines [12]. However, the COVID-19 immunizations are shrouded in mystery.

The current mRNA-based immunizations may be viewed with skepticism due to the lack of experience or development with such an approach. The low level of acceptance may also have been caused by the vaccines' quick production and certification in less than a year. Multiple anti-vaccination movements worldwide that have been inspired by new technologies and the quick development of vaccines have also contributed to the low level. The use of imprecise and frequently misleading translations in social media campaigns feeds conspiracy theories. Also, a few locally specific factors may also be at play, including a part of the population losing faith in the government or disliking how the pandemic has been handled generally. Despite these challenges, it is essential to comprehend public perception, behavior, expectations, reluctance, and variables affecting the decision to utilize the COVID-19 vaccine in order to adopt the most efficient public awareness and vaccination strategy. People's awareness, behaviors, readiness to use, expectations, reluctance as well as the financial capacity to pay for COVID-19 in such a circumstance has become a challenge to the health sector, and these challenges with COVID-19 and its vaccination have not yet been the subject of any adult population studies in Nigeria. This study's goal was to determine how many young adults in Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria, are aware of COVID-19 and whether they are willing to receive the vaccine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participant                

The cross-sectional study involved 184 young adults (78 males and 106 females) in Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria. The participants were 18-29 years old and consented and participated in this study. The results were compiled and analyzed at the Department of Physiology, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The study received approval from the University's research ethics committee (PUMS-REC/2021/091).

Criteria for inclusion and exclusion

The study excluded participants below the age of 17 years and above 30 years

Study design

The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey, and a multistage sampling technique was employed. A descriptive questionnaire was administered, and data was gotten from one hundred and eighty-four (184) subjects. Only respondents willing and falling within the age range were allowed to participate.

Statistical analysis

Data was analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) software (Version 23), the chi-square test was used as inferential statistics at a 95% confidence interval, and P-value lesser than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The age of the respondents was grouped into three classes; a class of 18- 21 years, a class of 22-25 years, and a class of 26-29 years. The age interval of 18-21 years was observed with the highest frequency, followed by the interval of 22-25 years, and the least frequency was observed in the age interval of 26-29 years (Figure 1b). Among the population was observed of one hundred and six (106) females and seventy-eight (78) males (Figure 1a). The majority of the respondent's marital status was observed as single. Only a few were married (Figure 1c). 78.3% of the female population and 71.8% of the male population showed that COVID-19 and its vaccine are real, and 17% and 19.2% of the respective gender neither convey that COVID-19 is real or not (Table 1). In Table 2, it was observed that the majority of the respondents (male and female) agree that there is a vaccine through the knowledge of respondents towards COVID-19 and its vaccine is moderate. Only a few claimed to be highly knowledgeable about COVID-19 and its vaccine, while the least of the population has no idea about COVID-19 and its vaccines (Table 3). In Table 4 below, the highest frequency was observed, and the majority of the respondents are neither sure of the safety of the vaccine.

Similarly, Table 5 also showed that the majority of the respondents don't trust any information given in regards to COVID-19 and its vaccines. 49.1% of the female disagree that it is not necessary to get vaccinated, while 42.5% agree that it is necessary and over 9.4% neither agree nor disagree. In males, 35.9% agree that vaccination is necessary, and over 47.4% disagree (Table 6). Table 6 also showed that 85.8% of females and 85.9% of males were not willing to be vaccinated. It was further observed that the current study was insignificant with gender though the test of knowledge towards COVID-19 and its vaccines was significant with gender (Table 6).

Table 1. Association between gender and respondents' opinion on the existence of COVID-19.

X²= 1.62; df = 2; p value 0.44

Table 2. Association between gender and respondents' opinion on the existence of the COVID-19 vaccine

X² = 4.32; df=2; p value= 0.16

Table 3. Distribution between gender and respondents' knowledge of COVID-19 and its vaccine

X² =13.05; df = 2, p value = 0.001

Table 4. Distribution between gender and respondent opinion about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine

X²= 3.29; df= 2; p value =0.19

Table 5. Association between gender and respondent opinion on the reliability of the information concerning COVID-19 and its vaccine

X²= 0.05; df=1, p value 0.82

Table 6. Distribution between gender and respondents' eagerness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and opinion of the respondents on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine

X²= 0.00; df= 1, p value 0.99                                                                                         X²= 2.37; df= 2, p value 0.31