CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction
This chapter presents the contains research design, study area, target population, sampling procedure
sample size, data collection instruments, pretesting, data collection and data analysis and ethical
consideration.

3.2 Study design

Cross sectional descriptive study design will be used.. The method entails a rigorous and controlled
research or phenomena that can be precisely measured and characterized and it allows collection of data
from a large number of respondents in relatively short period of time.

3.3Study area
Our research will be conducted in MUST main campus. MUST is a public university in Kenya located
inMeru county, Tigania west subcounty at NCHIRU market 15 km from Meru town along Meru Maua
highway (MUST website). MUST main campus is also the largest campus with the greatest number of
students from various coursed hence all students will get represented.

3.4 Study population

The study population will be Meru university students both male and female aged 18 to 29 years
undertaking various programs. The population is estimated to be 11,000 students. The university has 8
schools, including: SAFS (school of agriculture and food science), SBE (school of business studies), SON
(school of nursing), SED (school of education), SCI school of computing and informatics, SPAS (school
of pure and applied sciences), SHS (school of health sciences) and SEA (school of engineering and
architecture). Undergraduate students from each of the schools will be chosen to represent the others in
the study population. The undergraduate students were chosen because they are the largest number in the
school, comprising around 89% of the total population of the students (MUST website)

3.4.1 Inclusion criteria

1. Participants of this study must be undergraduate students at Meru University of Science

and Technology.
2. Aged between 18 to 29 years
3. Student registered for the semester at the point of data collection

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3.4.2 Exclusion criteria

1. Upgrading undergraduate students.

2. Those attached in their practice areas.
3.5 Sample size determination
Sample size determination is the mathematical estimation of the number of subjects to be included in
a study. Optimum size determination is to be used as it provides the required or desired level of
accuracy, it also allows for appropriate analysis and it allows validity of significance test.

Sample size is to be calculated by use of formulae by Cochran

n= (Z^2) (p q) ÷d^2 where;

N is the desired sample size,

Z is the standard normal deviate, usually set at 1.96, which corresponds to 95% confidence level.

p is the proportion in the target population estimated to have a particular characteristic.

q =1-p, proportion in the target population not having the particular characteristic

d is the degree of accuracy required, usually set at 0.05 level.

Thus, for this study the desired sample size of population is:

1.96^2×0.65×0.35÷0.05^2 =349.5856

=350 students.

3.6 Sampling techniques and procedures

Proportionate sampling will be used because takes each stratum in the sample as proportionate to the
population size of the stratum.

Schools Number of students in each Sample size of each school

school
SON 400 13
SOE 3900 124
SBE 3500 111
SPAS 1000 31
SCI 500 16

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 SAF 300 10
SHS 800 26
SEA 600 19
11000 350

3.7 Data collection tools and procedures

Self-administered questionnaire will be used which will be completed by a respondent without
the intervention of the researcher collecting the data. A structured questionnaire will be designed
to include 22 questions divided into 4 parts. The first part will comprise questions regarding
personal demographic information place. The second parts will cover the respondent’s
knowledge, attitude, and uptake of COVID-19 vaccine. Scores for knowledge regarding the
COVID-19 vaccine and new sources will be coded as No, Yes and don’t know. For attitude, a
five point Likert scale will be used as follows, agree (1), strongly agree (2), disagree (3), strongly
disagree (4) and unsure (5). Uptake will also be graded either as vaccinated of not vaccinated
(YES or NO. The questionnaire will be given out physically and randomly to the student within
the school and only those who are on session.
3.8 Data analysis and presentation
Results will be analysed using descriptive analysis. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS)
version 26, will be used to analyse the data collected. The frequency and the obtained
percentages will help in determining the uptake, knowledge and accessibility of COVID 19
vaccine.
Attitude will be analyzed using a Likert scale (strongly agree, Agree, neutral, disagree, strongly
disagree). Uptake will be categorised as either vaccinated or not vaccinated. The analysed data
will be presented in bar graphs and pie charts as frequencies and percentages.
3.9 Ethical consideration
Approval to collect data will be sought from Vice chancellor, Meru University of Science &
Technology and the Dean, School of Nursing and it will also be presented before the ethical
committee for approval. Consent will be obtained from participants before data collection.
Confidentiality will be maintained by ensuring that the questionnaires collected should not entail

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the names of the participants. No unauthorized person will be allowed to access the
questionnaire. Physical data collected from participants will be shredded and burnt after analysis.

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 CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION
OF RESULTS
4.0 Introduction

This section focuses on data analysis, interpretation, and also the presentation of the results.
Moreover, the general objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and uptake of
COVID19 vaccine among undergraduate students of MUST, who were evaluated in a sample of
350 participants whereby 310 respondents fully completed the questionnaires making a 89%
response rate. 11% of participants did not respond as shown in the Figure 1 below

percentage
11%

89%

Respondents Non respondents

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4.1 Socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents.

Table 1: Distribution of respondents by their Socio-demographic characteristics (n=310).

Variable category Frequency Percentage %

N=310
Gender Male 100 32.3
female 210 67.7

Age 18-20yrs 12 3.9

21-24yrs
248 80

25-29years 50 16.1

School SON 13 4.2

SED 120 38.7
SBE 82 26.5
SPAS 29 9.4
SCI 14 4.5
SAF 10 3.2
SHS 24 7.7
SEA 18 5.8
Year of study Year 1 120 38.7
Year2 79 25.5
Year3 59 19.0
Year4 52 16.8

The findings in fig 2. above reveal that more of the respondents were female 67.7 % which is
more than half of the respondents. The majority of respondents were aged (21-24 years) (80%)
followed by respondents aged (25-29 years) 16.1%. The respondents were chosen from each
school within the university whereby Mostmore of the respondents were from the School of
Education (38.7%) while the least were from the School of Agriculture and food Sciences
(3.2%). The majority of participants were the first years 38.7% while the least were the fourth
years 16%.

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4.2 Knowledge on COVID 19 vaccine among undergraduate student. [n=310]

The figure below represents participant’s distribution about knowledge.

29

71

Figure 3. above results indicates that; regarding the level of knowledge on COVID 19 vaccine,
71% [n =220] of the respondents had correct scores on questions assessing knowledge indicating

good knowledge on COVID 19 vaccine whilst those with wrong responses to questions assessing

knowledge represented 29% (n=90) of the respondents.

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Fig 4: Univariate analysis of knowledge of COVID 19 vaccine among undergraduate
students at MUST. (n=310)

VARIABLE ATTRIBUTE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Being vaccinated against
infectious diseases reduces YES 290 93.5
the morbidity and mortality
rates of individuals
NO 20 6.5

Usually, vaccination against

infectious diseases is
protective and improving
the quality of life, especially
YES 305 98.4
for people with low
immunity and those who
suffer from chronic diseases
NO 5 1.6

awareness of the ongoing

COVID 19 vaccination YES 310 100
NO 0 0.0
through;

social media platforms

fliers
200 64.5
bill boards
40 12.9
70 22.6

Those who have ever

received a COVID 19

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vaccine YES 140 45.2
NO 170 54.8
a. AstraZeneca/
Oxford vaccine
b. Johnson and
YES 110 78.6
Johnson

YES 30 21.4

Those who received a YES 80 25.8

booster vaccine NO 230 74.2
Those who think
awareness has been created YES 180 58.1
about COVID- 19 vaccine?

NO 130 41.9
Is COVID-19 vaccine is YES 150 48.6
safe? NO 160 51.4

Does vaccination affect

your body immunity. YES 200 64.5
NO 110 35.5
Are there side effects of YES 210 67.7
COVID 19 vaccine

NO 100 32.3

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In figure 4. From the table above majority of participants 93% are aware and hadve the
knowledge about COVID 19 vaccine and the importance of being vaccinated. 98% of the
students are aware of the benefits of getting the vaccine and how it helps boost immunity for
people with chronic diseases. All the participants hadve awareness about COVID 19 vaccine,
Sorces of knowledge regarding the vaccine was mainly from social media (indicate percentage
etc)they have received the awareness from social media platforms 64% which are commonly
used such as Facebook. There has been a low number of participants who have received the
vaccine 45.2% and 54.8% have not received their vaccines. AstraZeneca 78% and Johnson and
Johnson 21% having the highest number of participant who received. 51.2% of the participants
indicated that the vaccines is unsafe for use while 48.8% agreed that the vaccine is safe for use.
67.7% of the participants believed that there are side effects of COVID19 vaccination while 32.3
believe that there are no side effects.

4.3Attitude of COVID 19 vaccine among undergraduate students at MUST

The figure below represents attitude distribution among participants.

attitude

45

55

bad good

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In figure 5 above, it represents that 55% of the participants have a bad attitude towards COVID
19 vaccine while 45% have a good attitude towards getting vaccinated.

Category Frequency n=310 Percentage %

I believe vaccines are
effective at preventing
diseases.
Strongly disagree 0 0
Disagree 0 0
Neutral 17 5.5
Agree 83 26.8
Strongly agree 210 67.7
There is no need for
vaccine once recovered
from COVID 19
Strongly disagree 20 6.5
Disagree 29 9.4
Neutral 35 11.3
Agree 46 14.8
Strongly agree 180 58.1
I trust scientists have
developed safe COVID
19 vaccines
Strongly disagree 144 46.5
Disagree 70 22.6
Neutral 56 18.1
Agree 19 6.1
Strongly agree 21 6.8
I trust the government
to ensure that COVID
19 vaccines are safe.
Strongly disagree

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Disagree 0 0
Neutral 0 0
Agree 120 38.7
Strongly agree 70 22.6
100 32.3

The short period of

COVID 19 vaccine
development is
worrisome
Strongly disagree
41 13.2
Disagree
21 6.8
Neutral
38 12.6
Agree
69 22.3
Strongly agree
141 45.5
I don’t believe in the
existence of COVID 19
Strongly disagree 0 0
Disagree 0 0
Neutral 67 21.6
Agree 160 51.6
Strongly agree 83 26.8
I am afraid of side
effects of COVID 19
Vaccine.
Strongly disagree 0
0
0
Disagree 0 0
Neutral 6
1.3
56
Agree 18.1
100
32.3
Strongly agree 148 47.7

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In figure 6. The participants were asked different questions concerning attitude towards COVID
19. 67.7% strongly believe that vaccines can effectively prevents diseases. 58.1% agreed that
there was no need to receive vaccines after recovery while 6.5% strongly agreed that there was
need to get vaccinated. 46.5% disagreed that scientist have developed safe COVID 19 vaccines
while 6.8% believed that the scientist have developed safe COVID 19 vaccine. 54.9% of the
participants agreed that the government should ensure safety of COVID 19 vaccines while 38.7%
were not sure of government ensuring vaccines safety. 67.8% agree that the vaccines were
developed within a short period of time which is worrisome while 20% disagree that vaccines
were developed within a short period of time. 78.4% agree that there is the existence of COVID
19 vaccine while 21.6% are not sure about the existence. 80% of the participants agree that the
COVID 19 vaccine have side effects.

4.4 Uptake of COVID 19 vaccine among undergraduate students at MUST

Figure 7 shows the illustration of uptake of COVID 19 vaccines in form of percentage.

UPTAKE

46
51

VACCINATED NOT VACCINATED

46% of the participant have received their vaccination while 51 percent have not received their
vaccination.

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 variable attribute frequency percentage
If a COVID-19
vaccine is
available with an YES 247 79.7
efficacy of 95%,
would you be a
candidate for
NO 63 20.3
receiving all
shots?

If a COVID-19
vaccine is available
with an efficacy of
YES 49 15.8
70%, would you be
a candidate for
NO 261 84.2
receiving the
vaccine?

If a COVID-19
vaccine was
available with the YES 280 90.3
desired efficacy,
would you
NO 30 9.7
encourage your
fellow students to
get the vaccine?

79.7% were willing to get vaccinated if the efficacy of COVID 19 vaccines was about 95%
while 20% were unwilling to get vaccinated. If the efficacy of COVID 19 vaccine was 70 only
15.8 percent were not willing to get vaccinated while 84.2 if the efficacy was 70%. Only 90.3%

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of the participants were will to get the vaccines if the desired efficacy was achieved while 9.7 of
the participant were unwilling to get the vaccine even if the desired efficacy was achieved.

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