Abstract
BACKGROUND: In Ghana, pregnant women are disproportionately affected by malaria, yet awareness of malaria vaccination remains limited among women of reproductive age. This study examines sociodemographic determinants of malaria vaccine awareness among Ghanaian women using data from the 2022 Ghana Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS). METHODS: We analysed data from 38,459 women aged 15-49 years. Awareness was defined as having heard of the malaria vaccine within the past 6 months. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to assess associations between awareness and sociodemographic characteristics. The analysis accounted for survey weights, clustering, and stratification. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported, with clearly defined reference groups. RESULTS: Overall, awareness of the malaria vaccine was higher among women who had tertiary education (AOR = 2.89, 95% CI: 2.50-3.34, ref: no education), used the internet in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.74-1.97, ref: no internet use), and resided in Greater Accra (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.54-2.00, ref: Western region). Compared to adolescents aged 15-19 years, awareness increased with age, peaking among women aged 45-49 (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.60-2.57). Religious affiliation and ethnicity were also associated with awareness, though to a lesser extent. CONCLUSION: Malaria vaccine awareness among Ghanaian women is shaped by access to education, digital connectivity, and regional and religious contexts. Public health campaigns should prioritise equitable access to vaccine information, especially for underserved populations, to support Ghana's 2028 malaria elimination goals.