Abstract
AIM: To assess community awareness, knowledge and perception of the malaria vaccine. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Multistage sampling was adopted in recruiting 400 participants. A structured questionnaire designed based on study objectives guided data collection. RESULTS: Participants were 18-47 years with a mean age of 30 years. A statistically significant association was observed between socio-demographic characteristics (age, marital status, religion, education) and the awareness of the malaria vaccine. Majority of the participants (n = 190, 86.4%) said the vaccine was for the protection of children and they perceived that the vaccine would improve children's ability to fight diseases (n = 158, 71.8%), hence should be administered to every child (n = 201, 91.4%). Nurses and other health workers should intensify public education on the malaria vaccine. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Caregivers of children in Kassena-Nankana East Municipality.