Abstract

Coronavirus; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoV-2 (SARS CoV-2) otherwise known as Covid-19 is a respiratory disease contracted into the body. Delta variant has been identified as the predominant version of coronavirus as of this moment due to its fast spreading nature. The severity of Delta variant had been proven to be high and research had shown that many people all over the world had double records of hospitalisation with Delta variant than other variants. This study evaluated the knowledge and attitude towards vaccination against Delta variant Covid-19 among traders in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State. The study investigated the relevance of disease prevention education in controlling the wrong perception towards vaccination against the pandemic among the traders. The pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental research design with a 2x2x3 factorial matrix was adopted. The multistage sampling technique was applied in selecting one hundred and twenty traders assigned to the experimental group, and one hundred and twenty traders were assigned to the control group. The experimental group was exposed to a seven-week training in disease prevention education on vaccination for Delta variant COVID-19, while the control group received training on the impact of proper nutrition. Two research instruments were used: a self-developed questionnaire and a treatment package on disease prevention education and vaccination. Eight hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The data were subjected to Analysis of covariance. There was a significant interaction effect of treatment on knowledge towards vaccination against Delta variant Covid-19 (F(1, 119) = 10806.82, P<.05, ŋ2 = .999). This showed that the treatment was effective in enhancing the knowledge of participants. It also showed that the main effect of treatment on attitudes towards vaccination was positive among participants. Participants in treatment group obtained a higher mean score (,𝑥 .= 22.949) compared to participants in control group, who had a lower mean score value of = 19.273). Disease prevention education needs to be more implemented in order to ensure safety among traders. Adequate awareness and sensitization will further boost the knowledge of traders in Ibadan metropolis and enhance their positive attitude towards vaccination.