1
|
Guarducci G, Mereu G, Golinelli D, Galletti G, Gemmi F, Cartocci A, Holczer N, Bacci L, Sergi A, Messina G, Mari V, Nante N. Factors Influencing the Healthcare Workers' Willingness to Receive the COVID-19 Booster Dose in Tuscany (Italy). Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1751. [PMID: 38140156 PMCID: PMC10748028 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization has defined vaccine hesitancy as behavior influenced by several factors, including trust in the vaccine itself or its provider or the perceived need for vaccination. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among the employees and healthcare professionals of the Central Tuscany Local Health Authority (CT-LHA) in Italy. METHODS From July to October 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted. An online questionnaire was administered to 7000 employees of the CT-LHA. The questionnaire analyzed the factors that influenced receiving the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The sample was stratified by gender, age, type of occupation (healthcare or non-healthcare workers), and seniority. Incomplete questionnaires were excluded. A chi-squared test was performed through STATA. The significance level was set at 95%. RESULTS Of the questionnaires administered, 1885 (26.9%) questionnaires were eligible for the study. In the previous vaccination campaign, the healthcare workers (HCWs) considered the vaccine used by CT-LHA as safe, in contrast to non-healthcare workers (N-HCWs), who considered it less secure (p < 0.05). The HCWs showed a higher propensity for vaccine safety to receive the booster dose than N-HCWs. N-HCWs appeared to be less affected by an updated booster dose than HCWs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The factors studied appear to influence HCWs differently from N-HCWs. Both HCWs and N-HCWs would choose an upgraded mRNA vaccine for the booster dose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Guarducci
- Post Graduate School of Public Health, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (D.G.); (G.M.); (N.N.)
| | - Giovanna Mereu
- Department of Technical Health Professions, Central Tuscany Local Health Authority, 50121 Florence, Italy;
| | - Davide Golinelli
- Post Graduate School of Public Health, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (D.G.); (G.M.); (N.N.)
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giacomo Galletti
- Quality and Equity Unit, Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, 50141 Florence, Italy; (G.G.); (F.G.)
| | - Fabrizio Gemmi
- Quality and Equity Unit, Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, 50141 Florence, Italy; (G.G.); (F.G.)
| | - Alessandra Cartocci
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Nora Holczer
- General Direction, Central Tuscany Local Health Authority, 50121 Florence, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Luca Bacci
- Web Communication and Promotion, Central Tuscany Local Health Authority, 50121 Florence, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Sergi
- Healthcare Management, Central Tuscany Local Health Authority, 50121 Florence, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Messina
- Post Graduate School of Public Health, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (D.G.); (G.M.); (N.N.)
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Valerio Mari
- General Direction, Central Tuscany Local Health Authority, 50121 Florence, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Nicola Nante
- Post Graduate School of Public Health, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (D.G.); (G.M.); (N.N.)
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dopelt K, Abudin A, Yukther S, Shmukler T, Davidovitch N. The Association between Levels of Trust in the Healthcare System and Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy among College Students in Israel. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1728. [PMID: 38006060 PMCID: PMC10674655 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus. Vaccination proves an effective approach to preventing influenza and minimizing the risk of experiencing associated complications. However, the influenza vaccine coverage rate among Israeli college students is low due to a sense of complacency, lack of knowledge, and vaccine hesitancy. The current study examined the relationship between the level of trust in the healthcare system and influenza vaccine hesitancy among college students in Israel. This cross-sectional study was conducted via an online questionnaire in April-May 2023. In total, 610 students were surveyed, of whom 57% had been vaccinated against influenza in the past; however, only 12% were vaccinated this year. Negative, significant, and moderate relationships were found between the level of trust in the healthcare system and influenza vaccine hesitancy. Students who had been vaccinated in the past had a higher level of trust in the healthcare system and a lower level of vaccination hesitancy. The linear regression model revealed that the variables of being a woman, not Jewish, vaccinated, and trusting the Ministry of Health, family doctor, and health professionals were associated with a decrease in vaccine hesitancy. These findings are in line with previous research in the field. Based on the present results, it may be advisable to develop intervention programs aimed at increasing confidence in the healthcare system and vaccinations by providing knowledge and addressing students' concerns regarding vaccination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keren Dopelt
- Department of Public Health, Ashkelon Academic College, Ashkelon 78211, Israel, (S.Y.)
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel;
| | - Anuar Abudin
- Department of Public Health, Ashkelon Academic College, Ashkelon 78211, Israel, (S.Y.)
| | - Sophie Yukther
- Department of Public Health, Ashkelon Academic College, Ashkelon 78211, Israel, (S.Y.)
| | - Tatyana Shmukler
- Department of Public Health, Ashkelon Academic College, Ashkelon 78211, Israel, (S.Y.)
| | - Nadav Davidovitch
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel;
| |
Collapse
|