Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted global health and economies, underscoring the importance of vaccination in controlling the virus's spread. This study aims to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among anyone residing within the state of Libya, regardless of their nationality, across all age groups, and who has reliable access to the internet. For three months from November 2023 to February 2024, a descriptive study of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) was undertaken. Non-probability convenience sampling was used, and participants completed online questionnaires sent via social media, meeting specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The main instrument for data collection was a standardized, self-administered questionnaire designed based on previous validated instruments from 404 participants. A total of 404 participants completed the questionnaire, with most of them being Libyan (n=393, 97.3%), over the age of 18 (n=388, 96%), and living outside of Tripoli (n=243, 60.1%). Female respondents (n=266, 65.8%) with higher qualifications (n= 262, 64.9%), with many responses coming from the medical sector (n= 241, 59.6%). The most prevalent source of information was numerous sources (n=177, 43.8%). The current results gathered through seven questions designed to evaluate participants' understanding of the vaccine's efficacy in preventing the disease showed that 18.1% of respondents believed the vaccine prevents COVID-19, 20.3% were unsure, and 61.6% disagreed. Despite this, 74.5%, 91.3%, and 69.6%, respectively, of participants had adequate knowledge, attitude, and practice about the vaccine. Additionally, 43% of the study population expressed willingness to receive the vaccine, and 69.1% understood that infection with the coronavirus is more dangerous than the vaccine itself. In conclusion, this study underscores the necessity of public health promotion to improve vaccine acceptance and address misconceptions. Suggest the need for targeted communication strategies to enhance public trust in the vaccine.