COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage and its Associated Factors Among Healthcare Students at a Nigerian University

Abstract Background Healthcare students are a priority group for COVID-19 vaccination due to occupational exposure during clinical training, yet uptake remains suboptimal in Nigerian universities. This study assessed vaccination coverage, motivators, barriers, and predictors of uptake among health science students at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate health science students recruited via stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a pretested, structured, self-administered online questionnaire. The primary outcome was receipt of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Bivariate associations were examined using chi-square tests, and independent predictors of vaccination uptake were identified through binary logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results A total 408 students participated, and only 67 (16.4%) had been vaccinated. The leading motivator was personal health protection (71.2%). Major barriers included lack of access (29.0%), vaccine distrust (21.3%), and perceived non-necessity (20.7%). In bivariate analysis, gender, age group, religion, and type of residence were significantly associated with vaccination uptake (p < 0.05). After multivariable adjustment, only type residence predicted vaccination: hostel residents (aOR = 4.69; 95% CI: 1.52–14.52) and off-campus residents (aOR = 7.77; 95% CI: 2.43–24.83) had significantly higher odds than students living with family. The model demonstrated adequate fit (Hosmer-Lemeshow p = 0.249; Nagelkerke R² = 0.187). Conclusions COVID-19 vaccination coverage among these healthcare students is critically low, with residence type as the strongest independent predictor. On-campus vaccination services, institutional mandates, and peer-led education addressing access and distrust are urgently needed.