An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towards COVID-19 Vaccination in Shamva District, Zimbabwe: Implications for Occupational Health and Safety

The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant occupational health and safety (OHS) challenge, particularly for frontline healthcare workers facing a dramatically heightened risk of infection and transmission. The pandemic's disruptions, including lockdowns and altered work practices, further exacerbated existing OHS risks across various sectors, placing immense pressure on healthcare systems worldwide. While the Zimbabwean government's lockdowns aimed to curb disease spread, they inevitably impacted the safety of work environments and disrupted essential healthcare service delivery, creating a complex and dynamic OHS landscape. The development and subsequent deployment of COVID-19 vaccines provided a crucial turning point, offering a multi-pronged approach to mitigating OHS risks. Firstly, vaccination directly protected healthcare workers, reducing their individual risk of infection and subsequent transmission to patients and colleagues. Secondly, widespread vaccination within the healthcare workforce facilitated a safer return to more normal work routines, enabling them to deliver essential services without constant fear of contracting the virus.  This study, conducted in Zimbabwe's Shamva District, Mashonaland Central Province, assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of 150 healthcare workers regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite initial hesitancy among some participants, almost all were ultimately vaccinated. This demonstrated the potential for robust vaccination campaigns, coupled with effective communication strategies addressing concerns and misinformation, to achieve high coverage and improve OHS outcomes within the healthcare workforce. A majority of participants expressed positive views on the vaccine's importance, recognizing its significance for protecting their safety and the safety of others at work. This research underscores the pivotal role of vaccination in safeguarding occupational health during pandemics, particularly for frontline workers. However, the challenge of misinformation circulating on social media highlights the need for reliable public health messaging to promote vaccine acceptance and optimize OHS benefits across various sectors during global health emergencies. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of integrating OHS considerations into public health preparedness and response strategies from the outset. By proactively addressing potential OHS risks, such as those encountered during lockdowns or altered work practices, we can ensure the safety and well-being of essential workers throughout various stages of a pandemic response.