Colonial effect: language, trust and attitudes to science as predictors of vaccine hesitancy across Africa

Falade, Bankole A. ORCID: 0000-0003-1985-2273 (2024) Colonial effect: language, trust and attitudes to science as predictors of vaccine hesitancy across Africa. Cultures of Science. ISSN 2096-6083

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Abstract

Vaccine safety, importance and effectiveness are at the core of vaccine hesitancy around the world and Africa has had its own share of vaccine revolts. This study uses the Wellcome Trust Global Monitor 2018 on public perceptions of vaccines in 40 African countries to examine the predictors of vaccine hesitancy. It compares levels of hesitancy along language lines, comparing French speakers with others, mostly English. Study shows that French speakers are significantly more hesitant on importance and safety while English speakers and others are more hesitant on effectiveness, an indication of the continuing influence of colonial ties. Respondents who have higher levels of trust in social actors are also more hesitant about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, indicating the importance of non-scientists in vaccine hesitancy. Those with higher levels of education are also more likely to be hesitant about vaccines in general indicating that having more education may indeed have an opposite effect. Perceptions of science as progress is significant for all three hesitancy types and indicates that Africans with more progressive attitudes are less likely to worry about the importance, safety and effectiveness of vaccines. At country level, no predictor cuts across indicating the strong role of local social and cultural issues. These findings improve our understanding of the drivers of vaccine hesitancy in Africa and provide valuable input for future vaccine policy and health awareness campaigns.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2024 The Author
Divisions:	Psychological and Behavioural Science
Subjects:	R Medicine B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Date Deposited:	10 Apr 2024 09:27
Last Modified:	17 Oct 2024 18:13
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/122598

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