Exposure to COVID-19 misinformation and its association with vaccine uptake in Southwest Nigeria

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by widespread misinformation that disrupted public health communication and threatened vaccine confidence globally. Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa on whether exposure to COVID-19 misinformation independently predicts vaccination behaviour remains limited. This study examined the association between misinformation exposure and COVID-19 vaccine uptake in selected communities in Southwest Nigeria. Methods : We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study among 420 adults residing in four local government areas in Lagos and Ogun States, Nigeria. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, sources of COVID-19 information, exposure to misinformation, and receipt of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were performed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with vaccine uptake, adjusting for age, sex, education level, ethnicity, and primary information source. Results : Overall, 74.3% of respondents reported receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Social media platforms, particularly Facebook and WhatsApp, were the most frequently reported information sources. In adjusted analyses, ethnicity and exposure to COVID-19-related misinformation were independently associated with vaccine uptake. Respondents of Yoruba ethnicity had higher odds of vaccine receipt compared with Hausa respondents (adjusted OR 2.52; 95% CI 1.12–5.66; p = 0.025). Exposure to misinformation was also independently associated with vaccine uptake (adjusted OR 2.06; 95% CI 1.20–3.53; p = 0.009). Age, sex, education level, and primary information source were not statistically significant predictors. Conclusions : In these Southwest Nigerian communities, misinformation exposure and ethnic context were independently associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Public health preparedness efforts should integrate context-sensitive infodemic management strategies that address sociocultural dynamics and information credibility alongside vaccine access. Clinical trial number : Not applicable.