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Rahbeni TA, Satapathy P, Itumalla R, Marzo RR, Mugheed KAL, Khatib MN, Gaidhane S, Zahiruddin QS, Rabaan AA, Alrasheed HA, Al-Subaie MF, Al Kaabil NA, Alissa M, Ibrahim AAAL, Alsaif HA, Naser IH, Rustagi S, Kukreti N, Dziedzic A. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2024; 10:e54769. [PMID: 38687992 PMCID: PMC11062401 DOI: 10.2196/54769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The unprecedented emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the development and global distribution of vaccines, making the understanding of global vaccine acceptance and hesitancy crucial to overcoming barriers to vaccination and achieving widespread immunization. OBJECTIVE This umbrella review synthesizes findings from systematic reviews and meta-analyses to provide insights into global perceptions on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy across diverse populations and regions. METHODS We conducted a literature search across major databases to identify systematic reviews and meta-analysis that reported COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy. The AMSTAR-2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews) criteria were used to assess the methodological quality of included systematic reviews. Meta-analysis was performed using STATA 17 with a random effect model. The data synthesis is presented in a table format and via a narrative. RESULTS Our inclusion criteria were met by 78 meta-analyses published between 2021 and 2023. Our analysis revealed a moderate vaccine acceptance rate of 63% (95% CI 0.60%-0.67%) in the general population, with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 97.59%). Higher acceptance rates were observed among health care workers and individuals with chronic diseases, at 64% (95% CI 0.57%-0.71%) and 69% (95% CI 0.61%-0.76%), respectively. However, lower acceptance was noted among pregnant women, at 48% (95% CI 0.42%-0.53%), and parents consenting for their children, at 61.29% (95% CI 0.56%-0.67%). The pooled vaccine hesitancy rate was 32% (95% CI 0.25%-0.39%) in the general population. The quality assessment revealed 19 high-quality, 38 moderate-quality, 15 low-quality, and 6 critically low-quality meta-analyses. CONCLUSIONS This review revealed the presence of vaccine hesitancy globally, emphasizing the necessity for population-specific, culturally sensitive interventions and clear, credible information dissemination to foster vaccine acceptance. The observed disparities accentuate the need for continuous research to understand evolving vaccine perceptions and to address the unique concerns and needs of diverse populations, thereby aiding in the formulation of effective and inclusive vaccination strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42023468363; https://tinyurl.com/2p9kv9cr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahani Al Rahbeni
- Molecular Toxicology and Genetics, Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Prakasini Satapathy
- Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | | | - Roy Rillera Marzo
- Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, Curtin University, Miri Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Khalid A L Mugheed
- Molecular Toxicology and Genetics, Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahalaqua Nazli Khatib
- Division of Evidence Synthesis, Global Consortium of Public Health and Research, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education, Wardha, India
| | - Shilpa Gaidhane
- One Health Centre (COHERD), Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education, Wardha, India
| | - Quazi Syed Zahiruddin
- South Asia Infant Feeding Research Network, Division of Evidence Synthesis, School of Epidemiology and Public Health and Research, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, India
| | - Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - Hayam A Alrasheed
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha F Al-Subaie
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
- Research Center, Dr Sulaiman Alhabib Medical Group, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nawal A Al Kaabil
- College of Medicine and Health Science, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammed Alissa
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Israa Habeeb Naser
- Medical Laboratories Techniques Department, AL-Mustaqbal University, Babil, Iraq
| | - Sarvesh Rustagi
- School of Applied and Life Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Neelima Kukreti
- School of Pharmacy, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun, India
| | - Arkadiusz Dziedzic
- Department of Conservative Dentistry with Endodontics, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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Daama A, Rashid N, Asani K, Nalwoga GK, Nalugoda F, Bulamba R, Kyasanku E, Nakigozi G, Kigozi G, Kagaayi J, Mugamba S. Willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines, associated factors and reasons for not taking a vaccine: a cross sectional study among persons aged 13-80 years in Wakiso, Central Uganda. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:391. [PMID: 38605355 PMCID: PMC11008005 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09285-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccination has been recommended as one of the approaches for the control of COVID-19 pandemic. However, adequate vaccine coverage is critical to the effectiveness of the vaccine at population level. Data on acceptability of the vaccine in Ugandan urban areas are limited. This study examined the prevalence, factors associated with willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccine including reasons for not taking COVID-19 vaccine in a predominantly urban population of Wakiso, central Uganda. METHODS Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study conducted between March 1st, 2021 and September 30th, 2021 in the urban population-based cohort of the Africa Medical and behavioral Sciences Organization (AMBSO). A Multivariable modified Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals of willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. RESULTS A total of 1,903 participants were enrolled in this study; 61% of whom were females. About 63% of participants indicated their willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. Persons aged 13-19 years (aPR = 0.79; [95% CI: 0.74, 0.84]) or 20-29years (aPR = 0.93; [95% CI: 0.88, 0.98]) were less likely to accept the vaccine compared to persons aged 40-49 years. Persons with post-primary level of education (aPR = 1.05; [95% CI: 1.02, 1.09]) were more likely to accept the vaccine compared to persons with primary level of education. Additionally, students or individuals working in government (aPR = 1.13; [95% CI: 1.04, 1.23]) were more likely to accept the vaccine compared to individuals doing construction and Mechanic work as their main occupation. Reported reasons for not taking a COVID-19 vaccine included; concerns about side effects of the vaccine 154(57.0%), 64(23.7%) did not think the vaccines were effective, while 32(11.9%) did not like the vaccines. CONCLUSION A substantial proportion of individuals were not willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. Health education campaigns on vaccination within urban communities could help reduce COVID-19 vaccine misconceptions in the urban populations more especially the young and persons with low levels of formal education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Daama
- Africa Medical and Behavioral Sciences Organization, Nansana, Uganda.
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Naziru Rashid
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
- Islamic University, Mbale, Uganda
- Mayuge Institute of Global Health Sciences Research and Innovation, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Kasango Asani
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Fred Nalugoda
- Africa Medical and Behavioral Sciences Organization, Nansana, Uganda
| | - Robert Bulamba
- Africa Medical and Behavioral Sciences Organization, Nansana, Uganda
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Emmanuel Kyasanku
- Africa Medical and Behavioral Sciences Organization, Nansana, Uganda
| | - Gertrude Nakigozi
- Africa Medical and Behavioral Sciences Organization, Nansana, Uganda
| | - Godfrey Kigozi
- Africa Medical and Behavioral Sciences Organization, Nansana, Uganda
| | - Joseph Kagaayi
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Stephen Mugamba
- Africa Medical and Behavioral Sciences Organization, Nansana, Uganda
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3
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Hostiuc M, Scafa A, Iancu B, Iancu D, Isailă OM, Ion OM, Stroe A, Diaconu C, Epistatu D, Hostiuc S. Ethical implications of developing RNA-based therapies for cardiovascular disorders. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1370403. [PMID: 38558789 PMCID: PMC10978717 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1370403] [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: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The awareness concerning RNA-based therapies was boosted significantly after the successful development of COVID-19 vaccines. However, they can potentially lead to significant advances in other areas of medicine, such as oncology or chronic diseases. In recent years, there has been an exponential increase in the number of RNA-based therapies that were evaluated as potential treatments for cardiovascular disorders. One of the areas that was not explicitly assessed about these therapies is represented by their overall ethical framework. Some studies evaluate ethical issues of RNA-based treatments in general or targeting specific disorders (especially neurodegenerative) or interventions for developing RNA-based vaccines. Much less information is available regarding the ethical issues associated with developing these therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disorders, which is the main aim of this study. We will focus our analysis on three main topics: risk-benefit analysis (including the management of public awareness about these technologies), and justice (in both research and clinical medicine).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Hostiuc
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru Scafa
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Daniela Iancu
- Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, Southampton, United Kingdom
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oana-Maria Isailă
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Oana Mihaela Ion
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana Stroe
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Camelia Diaconu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dragos Epistatu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sorin Hostiuc
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
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4
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Wojczewski S, Leitner KM, Hoffmann K, Kutalek R, Jirovsky-Platter E. Vaccine hesitancy among physicians: a qualitative study with general practitioners and paediatricians in Austria and Germany. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e077411. [PMID: 38262649 PMCID: PMC10806645 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to understand reasons for vaccine hesitancy (VH) among general practioners (GPs) and paediatricians. We aim to analyse how and when the healthcare workers (HCWs) developed vaccine-hesitant views and how they transfer these to patients. DESIGN AND SETTING Semistructured interviews with vaccine-hesitant GPs and paediatricians were conducted in Austria and Germany using an explorative qualitative research design. PARTICIPANTS We contacted 41 physicians through letters and emails and 10 agreed to participate, five were male and five female. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Ten interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and anonymised. The material was analysed inductively following a grounded theory approach with open coding using the software atlas.ti. RESULTS Key themes that were identified were education and career path, understanding of medicine and medical profession, experiences with vaccines, doctor-patient interactions and continuous education activities and the link to VH. GPs and paediatricians' vaccine-hesitant attitudes developed during their medical training and, in particular, during extracurricular training in homeopathy, which most of the participants completed. Most participants work in private practices rather than with contracts with social insurance because they are not satisfied with the health system. Furthermore, they are critical of biomedicine. Most of the interview partners do not consider themselves antivaccination, but are sceptical towards vaccines and especially point out the side effects. Most do not vaccinate in their practices and some do only occasionally. Their vaccine-hesitant views are often fostered through respective online communities of vaccine-hesitant HCWs. CONCLUSIONS More studies on a connection between complementary medicine and vaccine-hesitant views of HCWs are needed. Education about vaccines and infectious diseases among healthworkers must increase especially tailored towards the use of internet and social media. Physicians should be made aware that through time and empathy towards their patients they could have a positive impact on undecided patients and parents regarding vaccine decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Wojczewski
- Department of Primary Care Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Kathryn Hoffmann
- Department of Primary Care Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ruth Kutalek
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elena Jirovsky-Platter
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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5
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Ruggeri K, Stock F, Haslam SA, Capraro V, Boggio P, Ellemers N, Cichocka A, Douglas KM, Rand DG, van der Linden S, Cikara M, Finkel EJ, Druckman JN, Wohl MJA, Petty RE, Tucker JA, Shariff A, Gelfand M, Packer D, Jetten J, Van Lange PAM, Pennycook G, Peters E, Baicker K, Crum A, Weeden KA, Napper L, Tabri N, Zaki J, Skitka L, Kitayama S, Mobbs D, Sunstein CR, Ashcroft-Jones S, Todsen AL, Hajian A, Verra S, Buehler V, Friedemann M, Hecht M, Mobarak RS, Karakasheva R, Tünte MR, Yeung SK, Rosenbaum RS, Lep Ž, Yamada Y, Hudson SKTJ, Macchia L, Soboleva I, Dimant E, Geiger SJ, Jarke H, Wingen T, Berkessel JB, Mareva S, McGill L, Papa F, Većkalov B, Afif Z, Buabang EK, Landman M, Tavera F, Andrews JL, Bursalıoğlu A, Zupan Z, Wagner L, Navajas J, Vranka M, Kasdan D, Chen P, Hudson KR, Novak LM, Teas P, Rachev NR, Galizzi MM, Milkman KL, Petrović M, Van Bavel JJ, Willer R. A synthesis of evidence for policy from behavioural science during COVID-19. Nature 2024; 625:134-147. [PMID: 38093007 PMCID: PMC10764287 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06840-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Scientific evidence regularly guides policy decisions1, with behavioural science increasingly part of this process2. In April 2020, an influential paper3 proposed 19 policy recommendations ('claims') detailing how evidence from behavioural science could contribute to efforts to reduce impacts and end the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we assess 747 pandemic-related research articles that empirically investigated those claims. We report the scale of evidence and whether evidence supports them to indicate applicability for policymaking. Two independent teams, involving 72 reviewers, found evidence for 18 of 19 claims, with both teams finding evidence supporting 16 (89%) of those 18 claims. The strongest evidence supported claims that anticipated culture, polarization and misinformation would be associated with policy effectiveness. Claims suggesting trusted leaders and positive social norms increased adherence to behavioural interventions also had strong empirical support, as did appealing to social consensus or bipartisan agreement. Targeted language in messaging yielded mixed effects and there were no effects for highlighting individual benefits or protecting others. No available evidence existed to assess any distinct differences in effects between using the terms 'physical distancing' and 'social distancing'. Analysis of 463 papers containing data showed generally large samples; 418 involved human participants with a mean of 16,848 (median of 1,699). That statistical power underscored improved suitability of behavioural science research for informing policy decisions. Furthermore, by implementing a standardized approach to evidence selection and synthesis, we amplify broader implications for advancing scientific evidence in policy formulation and prioritization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Ruggeri
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York City, NY, USA.
- Policy Research Group, Centre for Business Research, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- 274th ASOS, US Air Force/New York Air National Guard, Syracuse, NY, United States.
| | - Friederike Stock
- Center for Adaptive Rationality, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Paulo Boggio
- Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Social and Affective Neuroscience, CNPq, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - David G Rand
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Eli J Finkel
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | | | - Michael J A Wohl
- Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard E Petty
- Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Joshua A Tucker
- Department of Politics & Center for Social Media and Politics, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Azim Shariff
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | - Jolanda Jetten
- University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul A M Van Lange
- Institute for Brain and Behavior Amsterdam, Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Global Faculty, Social and Economic Behavior, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Ellen Peters
- Center for Science Communication Research, School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
- Psychology Department, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | | | - Alia Crum
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Nassim Tabri
- Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Linda Skitka
- University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Dean Mobbs
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Computation and Neural Systems Program, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - Sarah Ashcroft-Jones
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York City, NY, USA
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anna Louise Todsen
- Department of Social Policy and Evaluation, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Marlene Hecht
- Center for Adaptive Rationality, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rayyan S Mobarak
- Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | | | - Markus R Tünte
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Siu Kit Yeung
- Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - R Shayna Rosenbaum
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Žan Lep
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Centre for Applied Epistemology, Educational Research Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Yuki Yamada
- Faculty of Arts and Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Eugen Dimant
- Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- CESifo, Munich, Germany
| | - Sandra J Geiger
- Environmental Psychology, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hannes Jarke
- Policy Research Group, Centre for Business Research, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tobias Wingen
- University of Bonn, University Hospital Bonn, Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jana B Berkessel
- Mannheim Centre for European Social Research, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Silvana Mareva
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Psychology Department, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Lucy McGill
- University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Francesca Papa
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Eike K Buabang
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marna Landman
- Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Felice Tavera
- Department of Psychology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jack L Andrews
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- University College, Oxford, UK
| | - Aslı Bursalıoğlu
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Zorana Zupan
- Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lisa Wagner
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Joaquín Navajas
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Negocios, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - David Kasdan
- Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Patricia Chen
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Paul Teas
- University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nikolay R Rachev
- Department of General, Experimental, Developmental, and Health Psychology, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Matteo M Galizzi
- Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, London School of Economics, London, UK
| | | | - Marija Petrović
- Department of Psychology & Laboratory for Research of Individual Differences, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jay J Van Bavel
- Department of Psychology & Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robb Willer
- Department of Sociology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Caserotti M, Girardi P, Sellaro R, Rubaltelli E, Tasso A, Lotto L, Gavaruzzi T. To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? The interplay between pro- and against- vaccination reasons. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2207. [PMID: 37946143 PMCID: PMC10634164 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17112-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND By mid 2023, European countries reached 75% of vaccine coverage for COVID-19 and although vaccination rates are quite high, many people are still hesitant. A plethora of studies have investigated factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, however, insufficient attention has been paid to the reasons why people get vaccinated against COVID-19. Our work aims to investigate the role of reasons in the decision to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in a representative sample of 1,689 adult Italians (March-April 2021) balanced in terms of age, gender, educational level and area of residence. METHODS Through an online questionnaire, we asked participants to freely report up to three reasons for and against COVID-19 vaccination, and the weight each had in the decision to get vaccinated. We first investigated the role of emotional competence and COVID-19 risk perception in the generation of both reasons using regression models. Next, we studied the role that the different reasons had in the vaccination decision, considering both the intention to vaccinate (using a beta regression model) and the decision made by the participants who already had the opportunity to get vaccinated (using a logistic regression model). Finally, two different classification tree analyses were carried out to characterize profiles with a low or high willingness to get vaccinated or with a low or high probability to accept/book the vaccine. RESULTS High emotional competence positively influences the generation of both reasons (ORs > 1.5), whereas high risk perception increases the generation of positive reasons (ORs > 1.4) while decreasing reasons against vaccination (OR = 0.64). As pro-reasons increase, vaccination acceptance increases, while the opposite happens as against-reasons increase (all p < 0.001). One strong reason in favor of vaccines is enough to unbalance the decision toward acceptance of vaccination, even when reasons against it are also present (p < 0.001). Protection and absence of distrust are the reasons that mostly drive willingness to be vaccinated and acceptance of an offered vaccine. CONCLUSIONS Knowing the reasons that drive people's decision about such an important choice can suggest new communication insights to reduce possible negative reactions toward vaccination and people's hesitancy. Results are discussed considering results of other national and international studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Caserotti
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
| | - Paolo Girardi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venezia, Venice, Italy
| | - Roberta Sellaro
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Enrico Rubaltelli
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Lorella Lotto
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Teresa Gavaruzzi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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7
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Kharaba Z, Alfoteih Y, Alzoubi KH, Al-Azzam S, Al-Azayzih A, Al-Obaidi HJ, Awad AB, Dallal Bashi YH, Ahmed R, Khalil AM, Al Ahmad R, Aldeyab MA, Jirjees F. Lessons Learned from the Pandemic in the UAE: Children COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Its Impact on the Choice of Distance versus Face-to-Face Learning Modalities: An In-Depth Analysis of a National Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1598. [PMID: 37897000 PMCID: PMC10611097 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11101598] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study addresses the crucial aspect of childhood COVID-19 vaccination and its impact on parental decisions concerning learning modalities during the pandemic. This study aimed to gauge parental hesitancy towards vaccinating their children and its influence on choosing between distance and face-to-face learning options. Following STROBE guidelines for cross-sectional studies, this study surveyed 1973 parents in the United Arab Emirates using Google Forms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results revealed that while more than half of the parents (51.6%) were willing to vaccinate their children if the COVID-19 vaccine was accessible and affordable, a significant majority (91.2%) expressed concerns about the rapid vaccine development process, which was the primary reason for vaccine rejection. Interestingly, a sizable portion (55.3%) had experienced online learning in the previous academic term, and, of those, 59.6% believed it negatively influenced their children's academic performance. Consequently, 66.4% expressed intent to shift their children back to face-to-face learning once feasible. Significantly, parents with medical backgrounds were more inclined (91.6%) to opt for face-to-face schooling compared to those without such backgrounds. Logistic regression analysis indicated associations between sociodemographic characteristics, educational level and background, and the decision to return children to face-to-face learning. Interestingly, when it comes to vaccine hesitancy, a noteworthy connection exists between the parents' reluctance to vaccinate their children and their preference for distance learning. In fact, parents who responded negatively to vaccinating their children against COVID-19, if the vaccine was available, showed a clear preference for the distance learning modality (p-value < 0.0001). This study underscores the complex interplay of factors and community perspectives shaping parental acceptance of childhood COVID-19 vaccination. The development pace of vaccines significantly influences parents' attitudes and beliefs about vaccination programs. Parents' medical backgrounds exhibit a clear correlation with their perceptions of sending children back to school safely. This highlights the potential impact of parental medical knowledge on decision making, emphasizing the need to consider parents' professional backgrounds when devising education- and vaccination-related policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zelal Kharaba
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi Campus, Abu Dhabi 112612, United Arab Emirates
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Yassen Alfoteih
- Department of Dental Surgery, City University Ajman, Ajman 18484, United Arab Emirates;
- Department of General Education, City University Ajman, Ajman 18484, United Arab Emirates
| | - Karem H. Alzoubi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (K.H.A.); (F.J.)
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan; (S.A.-A.); (A.A.-A.)
| | - Sayer Al-Azzam
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan; (S.A.-A.); (A.A.-A.)
| | - Ahmad Al-Azayzih
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan; (S.A.-A.); (A.A.-A.)
| | - Hala J. Al-Obaidi
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (H.J.A.-O.); (Y.H.D.B.)
| | - Ahmed Bahaaeldin Awad
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Burjeel Medical City Hospital, Abu-Dhabi 7400, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Yahya H. Dallal Bashi
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (H.J.A.-O.); (Y.H.D.B.)
| | - Rahaf Ahmed
- Abbott LaboratoriesAlphamed Company Limited, Abu Dhabi 4236, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Alaa M. Khalil
- Al Thiqa Pharmacy Group, Abu Dhabi 47612, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Raneem Al Ahmad
- Pharmacy Intern, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi 112412, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Mamoon A. Aldeyab
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK;
| | - Feras Jirjees
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (K.H.A.); (F.J.)
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Tamire M, Abegaz T, Abaya SW, Lisanwork L, Gizachew L, Abate E, Wang SH, Gebreyes W, Kumie A. Exploring Community Perceptions of COVID-19 and Vaccine Hesitancy in Selected Cities of Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1511. [PMID: 37896915 PMCID: PMC10610566 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11101511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Even though the COVID-19 vaccine has been available and free of charge to the targeted population in Ethiopia, the vaccination rate was lower than needed to achieve herd immunity at community level. This study aimed to explore community perceptions of COVID-19 and vaccine hesitancy in selected cities of Ethiopia involving 70 in-depth interviews and 28 focused group discussions. The audio-taped data were transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and analyzed using a qualitative content analysis approach using the ATLAS.ti software version 8. The findings revealed that COVID-19 was perceived as evil and caused fear and frustration upon its emergence. The community initially used traditional remedies for its prevention but later transitioned to employing non-pharmaceutical interventions. The primary reasons for vaccine hesitancy were misinformation and misconceptions, such as connecting the vaccine with the mark of the beast, a lack of trust due to the multiple vaccine types, a shorter production timeline resulting in distrust of its effectiveness, and a fear of pain and side effects. Based on our findings, we recommend monitoring the use of social media and countering misinformation with the correct information and continuous public health campaigns. Further studies should be conducted to assess the types and magnitude of impacts from the myths and misconceptions on vaccination uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mulugeta Tamire
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 9086, Ethiopia; (T.A.); (S.W.A.); (A.K.)
| | - Teferi Abegaz
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 9086, Ethiopia; (T.A.); (S.W.A.); (A.K.)
| | - Samson Wakuma Abaya
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 9086, Ethiopia; (T.A.); (S.W.A.); (A.K.)
| | - Leuel Lisanwork
- Ohio State Global One Health, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 9086, Ethiopia; (L.L.); (L.G.); (E.A.)
| | - Lehageru Gizachew
- Ohio State Global One Health, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 9086, Ethiopia; (L.L.); (L.G.); (E.A.)
| | - Ebba Abate
- Ohio State Global One Health, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 9086, Ethiopia; (L.L.); (L.G.); (E.A.)
| | - Shu-Hua Wang
- Global One Health Initiative, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (S.-H.W.); (W.G.)
- Infectious Disease Division, Internal Medicine Department, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Wondwossen Gebreyes
- Global One Health Initiative, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (S.-H.W.); (W.G.)
- Infectious Diseases Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Abera Kumie
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 9086, Ethiopia; (T.A.); (S.W.A.); (A.K.)
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Adebesin F, Smuts H, Mawela T, Maramba G, Hattingh M. The Role of Social Media in Health Misinformation and Disinformation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Bibliometric Analysis. JMIR INFODEMIOLOGY 2023; 3:e48620. [PMID: 37728981 PMCID: PMC10551800 DOI: 10.2196/48620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of social media platforms to seek information continues to increase. Social media platforms can be used to disseminate important information to people worldwide instantaneously. However, their viral nature also makes it easy to share misinformation, disinformation, unverified information, and fake news. The unprecedented reliance on social media platforms to seek information during the COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by increased incidents of misinformation and disinformation. Consequently, there was an increase in the number of scientific publications related to the role of social media in disseminating health misinformation and disinformation at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Health misinformation and disinformation, especially in periods of global public health disasters, can lead to the erosion of trust in policy makers at best and fatal consequences at worst. OBJECTIVE This paper reports a bibliometric analysis aimed at investigating the evolution of research publications related to the role of social media as a driver of health misinformation and disinformation since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this study aimed to identify the top trending keywords, niche topics, authors, and publishers for publishing papers related to the current research, as well as the global collaboration between authors on topics related to the role of social media in health misinformation and disinformation since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS The Scopus database was accessed on June 8, 2023, using a combination of Medical Subject Heading and author-defined terms to create the following search phrases that targeted the title, abstract, and keyword fields: ("Health*" OR "Medical") AND ("Misinformation" OR "Disinformation" OR "Fake News") AND ("Social media" OR "Twitter" OR "Facebook" OR "YouTube" OR "WhatsApp" OR "Instagram" OR "TikTok") AND ("Pandemic*" OR "Corona*" OR "Covid*"). A total of 943 research papers published between 2020 and June 2023 were analyzed using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation), VOSviewer (Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University), and the Biblioshiny package in Bibliometrix (K-Synth Srl) for RStudio (Posit, PBC). RESULTS The highest number of publications was from 2022 (387/943, 41%). Most publications (725/943, 76.9%) were articles. JMIR published the most research papers (54/943, 5.7%). Authors from the United States collaborated the most, with 311 coauthored research papers. The keywords "Covid-19," "social media," and "misinformation" were the top 3 trending keywords, whereas "learning systems," "learning models," and "learning algorithms" were revealed as the niche topics on the role of social media in health misinformation and disinformation during the COVID-19 outbreak. CONCLUSIONS Collaborations between authors can increase their productivity and citation counts. Niche topics such as "learning systems," "learning models," and "learning algorithms" could be exploited by researchers in future studies to analyze the influence of social media on health misinformation and disinformation during periods of global public health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Funmi Adebesin
- Department of Informatics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Hanlie Smuts
- Department of Informatics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Tendani Mawela
- Department of Informatics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - George Maramba
- Department of Informatics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Marie Hattingh
- Department of Informatics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Rzymski P, Pokorska-Śpiewak M, Jackowska T, Kuchar E, Nitsch-Osuch A, Pawłowska M, Babicki M, Jaroszewicz J, Szenborn L, Wysocki J, Flisiak R. Key Considerations during the Transition from the Acute Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1502. [PMID: 37766178 PMCID: PMC10537111 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been met with an unprecedented response from the scientific community, leading to the development, investigation, and authorization of vaccines and antivirals, ultimately reducing the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on global public health. However, SARS-CoV-2 is far from being eradicated, continues to evolve, and causes substantial health and economic burdens. In this narrative review, we posit essential points on SARS-CoV-2 and its responsible management during the transition from the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. As discussed, despite Omicron (sub)variant(s) causing clinically milder infections, SARS-CoV-2 is far from being a negligible pathogen. It requires continued genomic surveillance, particularly if one considers that its future (sub)lineages do not necessarily have to be milder. Antivirals and vaccines remain the essential elements in COVID-19 management. However, the former could benefit from further development and improvements in dosing, while the seasonal administration of the latter requires simplification to increase interest and tackle vaccine hesitancy. It is also essential to ensure the accessibility of COVID-19 pharmaceuticals and vaccines in low-income countries and improve the understanding of their use in the context of the long-term goals of SARS-CoV-2 management. Regardless of location, the primary role of COVID-19 awareness and education must be played by healthcare workers, who directly communicate with patients and serve as role models for healthy behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
| | - Maria Pokorska-Śpiewak
- Department of Children’s Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Teresa Jackowska
- Department of Pediatrics, Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-813 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Ernest Kuchar
- Department of Pediatrics with Clinical Assessment Unit, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Aneta Nitsch-Osuch
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-007 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Pawłowska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 85-067 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Mateusz Babicki
- Department of Family Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 51-141 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Jerzy Jaroszewicz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Silesia, 41-902 Bytom, Poland;
| | - Leszek Szenborn
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Jacek Wysocki
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Robert Flisiak
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Białystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland;
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11
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Roshchina Y, Rozhkova K, Roshchin S. Between nudges and mandates: The drivers of COVID-19 vaccination intentions and subsequent uptake in Russia. Vaccine 2023:S0264-410X(23)00756-9. [PMID: 37419852 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.06.067] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Despite high levels of morbidity and mortality, as well as the widespread availability of domestic vaccines, Russia demonstrated significantly low rates of vaccination throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This research explores vaccination intentions before the start of the immunisation campaign and the consequent uptake in Russia after the introduction of mandatory vaccination policy in certain industries and proof-of-immunisation for social activities. Using a nationally representative panel dataset, we analyse factors behind individual vaccination decisions using binary and multinomial logistic regressions. Special attention is given to the effect of employment in industries with vaccine mandates and personal factors which determine individual "nudgeability" to vaccination (e.g., personality traits, beliefs, vaccine alertness, self-perceived vaccine availability etc.). Our results show that 49 per cent of the population received at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine by autumn 2021 after the introduction of mandatory vaccination. Vaccination intentions before the rollout of the nationwide immunisation campaign are correlated with the consequent attitudes and uptake, although the prediction is not perfect. 40 percent of vaccine refusers eventually got vaccinated, while 16 percent of vaccine supporters turned into refusers, revealing the lack of promotion of vaccine safety and effectiveness. To a large extent, vaccination refusal and hesitance are explained by vaccine alertness. Vaccine mandates significantly increased the uptake in several affected industries, especially education. These results offer important insights for designing information policy, relevant for future vaccination campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yana Roshchina
- Center for Longitudinal Studies and Laboratory for Studies in Economic Sociology, Department of Sociology, National Research University Higher School of Economics, 11 Myasnitskaya street, Moscow 101000, Russian Federation.
| | - Ksenia Rozhkova
- Laboratory for Labor Market Studies, Faculty of Economic Sciences, National Research University Higher School of Economics, 11 Pokrovsky Boulevard, Moscow 109028, Russian Federation.
| | - Sergey Roshchin
- Laboratory for Labor Market Studies, Faculty of Economic Sciences, National Research University Higher School of Economics, 11 Pokrovsky Boulevard, Moscow 109028, Russian Federation.
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Khan M, Jabeen S, Khizer Ali S, Tofique MH, Shabbir MS, Baig R, Khalili MN, Kumar S, Khatri M, Varrassi G, Sapna F, Dass A, Kumar N. Public Knowledge About COVID-19 Booster Vaccines in Pakistan: A Study Conducted in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi. Cureus 2023; 15:e40284. [PMID: 37448436 PMCID: PMC10336743 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.40284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has deteriorated the healthcare system and economy worldwide. Globally, by making the primary vaccination against the coronavirus necessary, the surge in cases waned, but as the effects of this vaccination decreased after some time, to prevent another pandemic, vaccination was still necessary. As a result, receiving a COVID-19 booster shot can boost immunity against the coronavirus. This study aimed to assess knowledge of COVID-19 booster vaccines in Pakistan among the general public and understand the factors affecting the vaccination process in the state. In this cross-sectional study, non-probability convenience sampling was done. Its physical data collection was conducted in September 2022 in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Data were collected from 384 individuals who visited the hospital with consent before filling out the questionnaire. The mean age of respondents was 35.81 (standard deviation (SD) = ±13.006), and 98.7% of individuals were primarily vaccinated for COVID-19, but out of these, only 60.1% received the booster jab. The most commonly reported side effects of primary doses of COVID-19 and its booster were pain at the injection site, fatigue, and fever, but these effects did not appear to have as much of an impact on the vaccination process as education did. The results are evident that out of primarily vaccinated individuals against COVID-19, 40.16% are reluctant to receive its booster. Therefore, it is essential to create awareness among the masses about vaccination and its importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misha Khan
- Medicine and Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK
| | - Sidra Jabeen
- Neurosurgery, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK
| | - Syed Khizer Ali
- Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK
| | | | | | - Rooha Baig
- Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK
| | | | - Satesh Kumar
- Medicine and Surgery, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College, Karachi, PAK
| | - Mahima Khatri
- Medicine and Surgery, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, PAK
| | | | - Fnu Sapna
- Internal Medicine, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, USA
| | - Arjan Dass
- Medicine and Surgery, Willis-Knighton Health System, Shreveport, USA
| | - Nomesh Kumar
- Internal Medicine, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University Sinai-Grace, Detroit, USA
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13
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Ekpor E, Akyirem S. Global acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among persons with diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2023; 201:110731. [PMID: 37236364 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
AIM This review aimed to estimate the level of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among persons with diabetes. METHODS A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL to identify relevant studies for this review. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to generate an overall estimate of vaccine acceptance. The I2 statistic was used to quantify the degree of variation across studies, and subgroup analysis was conducted to identify the sources of heterogeneity. The review was conducted in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). RESULTS This review included 18 studies involving 11,292 diabetes patients. The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among persons with diabetes was 76.1% (95% CI: 66.7% - 83.5%). The pooled prevalence across the continent ranged from 68.9% (95% CI: 47.8% - 84.3%) in Asia to 82.1% (95% CI: 80.2% - 83.8%) in Europe. Barriers to vaccine acceptance included misinformation, lack of information, mistrust, health concerns, and external influences. CONCLUSION The barriers to vaccine acceptance identified in this review, could inform the formulation of health policies and public health interventions that are specifically tailored to address the needs of persons with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Ekpor
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Christian Health Association of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Samuel Akyirem
- Yale School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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14
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Mazidimoradi A, Allahqoli L, Salehiniya H. The ambiguous future of the COVID-19 pandemic in the presence of a vaccine. Health Sci Rep 2023; 6:e1207. [PMID: 37064306 PMCID: PMC10090269 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hamid Salehiniya
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Social Determinants of Health Research CenterBirjand University of Medical SciencesBirjandIran
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15
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Boragno P, Fiabane E, Taino I, Maffoni M, Sommovigo V, Setti I, Gabanelli P. Perceptions of COVID-19 Vaccines: Protective Shields or Threatening Risks? A Descriptive Exploratory Study among the Italian Population. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:642. [PMID: 36992226 PMCID: PMC10054618 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030642] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Although several quantitative studies have explored vaccine hesitancy, qualitative research on the factors underlying attitudes toward vaccination is still lacking. To fill this gap, this study aimed to investigate the general perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines among the Italian population with a qualitative approach. The sample included 700 Italian participants who completed an online survey. Open questions underwent a descriptive analysis for unveiling meaning categories, while differences in the prevalence of categories were calculated using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Vaccination was associated with the following seven main themes: 'safety', 'healthcare', 'vaccine delivery', 'progress', 'ambivalence', 'mistrust', and 'ethics'. Vaccinated individuals more frequently reported words related to the safety theme (χ2 = 46.7, p < 0.001), while unvaccinated individuals more frequently reported words related to mistrust (χ2 = 123, p < 0.001) and ambivalence (χ2 = 48.3, p < 0.001) themes. Working in the healthcare sector and being younger than 40 years affected the general perceptions of vaccination in terms of pro-vaccine attitudes. Unvaccinated individuals were more affected by the negative experiences of their acquaintances and manifested more distrust of scientific researchers, doctors, and pharmaceutical companies than vaccinated individuals. These findings suggest promoting collaborative efforts of governments, health policymakers, and media sources, including social media companies, in order to deal with cognitions and emotions supporting vaccine hesitancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Boragno
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Psychology Unit of Pavia Institute, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Elena Fiabane
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Psychology Unit of Pavia Institute, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Irene Taino
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Psychology Unit of Pavia Institute, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Marina Maffoni
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Psychology Unit of Montescano Institute, 27040 Montescano, Italy
| | - Valentina Sommovigo
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Ilaria Setti
- Unit of Applied Psychology, Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Paola Gabanelli
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Psychology Unit of Pavia Institute, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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16
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Lim J, Moon KK. Political Ideology and Trust in Government to Ensure Vaccine Safety: Using a U.S. Survey to Explore the Role of Political Trust. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4459. [PMID: 36901469 PMCID: PMC10002444 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Since early 2020, the rapid expansion of COVID-19 has raised concerns about vaccine safety and the government's handling of it. Particularly notable and concerning has been a growing number of people who oppose vaccines, as this opposition poses a threat to public health. Those for and against vaccination have become polarized along a political divide. Within this context, this study focuses on the role of political trust, exploring whether political ideology is associated with the perception that the government can ensure the safety of vaccines and whether there is a moderator that can alleviate the concerns of those who oppose the government's handling of vaccine safety on ideological grounds. This study relies on the 2021 U.S. General Social Survey (GSS) and employs an ordered probit method because the dependent variable is an ordered category. The ordered probit model includes a weight provided by the U.S. GSS to account for the population. The sample size was 473 because of the inclusion of all the variables relevant to this study. The results obtained are as follows: First, conservatives associate negatively with support for the government's handling of vaccine safety. Second, more importantly, conservatives exhibit a higher trust level toward the government to ensure vaccine safety if their level of political trust increases. The results point to important implications. Political ideology matters in how individuals view the government's handling of vaccine safety. Political trust plays a key role in helping individuals alter their views toward the government's handling of vaccine safety. This points to a need for the government to take political trust seriously and work hard to improve the public's trust in the government.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeyoung Lim
- Department of Public Administration and Social Welfare, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Kuk-Kyoung Moon
- Department of Public Administration, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
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Herry AM, Greaves D, Smith P, Toledo NA, Wildman A, Wildman T, Browne R, Chen M, Jones M, Aymat S. Facilitators of and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination in Grenada: a qualitative study. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2023; 47:e44. [PMID: 36945250 PMCID: PMC10022831 DOI: 10.26633/rpsp.2023.44] [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: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives To identify the factors contributing to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy in Grenada. Methods A phenomenological study was conducted using semi-structured interviews at vaccination and pop-up testing clinics during a spike in COVID-19 cases on the island. Interview questions were developed using the health belief model related to perceived threat of COVID-19, perceived benefits of and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination, and cues to action. Data were analyzed using a deductive approach to identify themes, categories, and subcategories. Results Twenty-five interviews were transcribed and coded. In all, 68% of participants were unvaccinated, 12% were partially vaccinated, and 20% were fully vaccinated. Data analysis revealed two main themes: facilitators and barriers. Factors more likely to encourage vaccination (facilitators) included trust in medical advice and vaccine efficacy, social responsibility, and vaccine mandates for travel, employment, and social activities. Factors hindering vaccination (barriers) included: perceived low threat of COVID-19; preference for natural remedies; concerns about contraindications because of underlying health conditions; fear; mistrust of vaccines and related messaging; vaccine accessibility; and the many different information sources. Conclusions Overcoming vaccine hesitancy is key to combating the detrimental effects of COVID-19 in Grenada. Public health interventions and policies that address barriers and capitalize on facilitators can increase vaccine uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arlette M. Herry
- St George’s UniversitySt GeorgeGrenadaSt George’s University, St George, Grenada.
- Arlette M. Herry,
| | - Damian Greaves
- St George’s UniversitySt GeorgeGrenadaSt George’s University, St George, Grenada.
| | - Pauline Smith
- St George’s UniversitySt GeorgeGrenadaSt George’s University, St George, Grenada.
| | - Nilo A. Toledo
- St George’s UniversitySt GeorgeGrenadaSt George’s University, St George, Grenada.
| | - Ariel Wildman
- St George’s UniversitySt GeorgeGrenadaSt George’s University, St George, Grenada.
| | - Trent Wildman
- St George’s UniversitySt GeorgeGrenadaSt George’s University, St George, Grenada.
| | - Rosheem Browne
- McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonTexasUnited States of AmericaMcGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, United States of America.
| | - Madison Chen
- St George’s UniversitySt GeorgeGrenadaSt George’s University, St George, Grenada.
| | - Matthew Jones
- St George’s UniversitySt GeorgeGrenadaSt George’s University, St George, Grenada.
| | - Sebastian Aymat
- St George’s UniversitySt GeorgeGrenadaSt George’s University, St George, Grenada.
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Miraglia Del Giudice G, Della Polla G, Folcarelli L, Napoli A, Angelillo IF. Knowledge and attitudes of health care workers about monkeypox virus infection in Southern Italy. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1091267. [PMID: 36923038 PMCID: PMC10009274 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1091267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This present survey sought to investigate the level of knowledge and the attitudes pertaining the monkeypox (mpox) virus infection among a sample of health care workers (HCWs) in Italy, as well as the possible role of different factors on these outcomes. Methods The cross-sectional survey was performed from July through October, 2022 at four randomly selected hospitals located in Southern Italy. Results The questionnaire was completed by 421 HCWs, for an overall 59% response rate. Less than two-thirds were able to define the disease and the correct answer of the transmission mechanisms ranged from 22.8% for contact with contaminated objects to 75.8% through close contact with body fluids. Only 4% and 12.8% indicated HCWs and elderly/frail/people with underlying immune deficiencies as risk groups. The mean overall score of the knowledge assessment on mpox was 3.4 (0-9). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HCWs with a lower number of years of working experience and those who had acquired information about mpox from scientific journals were more likely to have a higher level of knowledge. The average score of the perception of the severity of the disease was 6.3. A similar score with a value of 6.1 has been observed for the statement that mpox is a serious problem for the population. Regarding the level of concern about contracting mpox, the mean score was 5.1. Only 10.5% reported that they feel that this disease can be prevented, with an overall mean score of 6.5. Almost all HCWs reported that they are still living as usual, with no modification of their behavior for fear of contracting the mpox. The results of the multivariate logistic regression model showed that women, HCWs with a higher level of knowledge about mpox, and those who needed additional information about mpox were more likely to have a higher level of perception of the severity of the disease. Conclusion This survey has demonstrated that HCWs had an unsatisfactory level of knowledge toward mpox and only nearly half showed positive attitudes. Strategic health training programs should be made so that knowledge can be acquired.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giorgia Della Polla
- Department of Public Health and Laboratory Services, Teaching Hospital of the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Lucio Folcarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Annalisa Napoli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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19
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Capurro G, Tustin J, Jardine CG, Driedger SM. When good messages go wrong: Perspectives on COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine communication from generally vaccine accepting individuals in Canada. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2145822. [PMID: 36452995 PMCID: PMC9762838 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2145822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are one of the most important and successful public health interventions to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. However, unlike childhood diseases and routine vaccines, COVID-19 is a novel threat, and COVID-19 vaccines may elicit specific anxieties. Through focus groups, we examine the concerns and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine expressed by individuals who accept routine vaccinations in Canada. We also conducted a pre-focus group survey to document participant attitudes towards vaccines in general. While most participants had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or had the intention to get it, many had concerns. First, participants felt anxious about the quick development and approval of the vaccines, even if they recognized that the vaccines have undergone clinical trials. Second, participants felt confused about shifting public health guidelines regarding vaccine safety, changing the interval between doses, and mixing different vaccine brands. Finally, participants said they felt abandoned when deciding whether to get vaccinated or not. People who generally accept vaccines expressed concerns about COVID-19 vaccines, mostly related to the inevitable uncertainties of a new vaccine (i.e. novelty, safety, mandates, etc.). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, understood as concerns about the novelty of a vaccine and the rapid implementation of it, could be useful for understanding questioning attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines from people who accept routine vaccinations. Understanding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy can also provide valuable insights as booster doses are periodically needed and people may not be as accepting of these additional doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Capurro
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jordan Tustin
- School of Occupational and Public Health, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cindy G. Jardine
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, Canada
| | - S. Michelle Driedger
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada,CONTACT S. Michelle Driedger Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, S113-750 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0W3, Canada
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20
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Oniszczenko W, Turek A. The relationship between fear of COVID-19 infection, fear of COVID-19 vaccination and Big Five personality traits: a mediation model. CURRENT ISSUES IN PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 11:1-10. [PMID: 38013827 PMCID: PMC10654332 DOI: 10.5114/cipp/155944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The primary objective of our correlational, cross-sectional study was to determine the relationship between fear of COVID-19 infection and fear of COVID-19 vaccination and the role of the Big Five personality traits in this relationship. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE The study sample consisted of 462 participants, including 286 women and 176 men, aged 18 to 75, recruited from the general population. The Big Five personality traits were diagnosed using the Polish version of the Ten-Item Personality Inventory. We used an 11-point numerical rating scale to measure the intensity of fear of COVID-19 infection as well as fear of COVID-19 vaccination. RESULTS The results indicate that fear of infection has a weak positive correlation with fear of vaccination. Both types of fear have a weak negative correlation with emotional stability and openness to experience. People diagnosed with COVID-19 have significantly higher levels of fear of vaccination and lower levels of emotional stability compared to those without a COVID-19 diagnosis. Fear of infection proves a good predictor of fear of vaccination and a likely mediator between emotional stability and fear of vaccination against COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS The results may increase our understanding of the role of personality traits, such as emotional stability, in the fear of infection and COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Turek
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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21
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Yanto TA, Lugito NPH, Hwei LRY, Virliani C, Octavius GS. Prevalence and Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in South East Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 1,166,275 Respondents. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:361. [PMID: 36355903 PMCID: PMC9696885 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7110361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite its importance in guiding public health decisions, studies on COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and its determinants in South East Asia (SEA) are lacking. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and the variables influencing the vaccine's acceptance. This review is registered under PROSPERO CRD42022352198. We included studies that reported vaccination acceptance from all SEA countries, utilising five academic databases (Pubmed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and Google Scholar), three Indonesian databases (the Indonesian Scientific Journal Database, Neliti, and Indonesia One Search), two pre-print databases (MedRxiv and BioRxiv), and two Thailand databases (ThaiJo and Thai-Journal Citation Index). The analysis was conducted using STATA 17.0 with metaprop commands. The prevalence for COVID-19 vaccination acceptance in SEA was 71% (95%CI 69-74; I2 99.87%, PI: 68.6-73.5). Myanmar achieved the highest COVID-19 vaccination acceptance prevalence, with 86% (95%CI 84-89), followed by Vietnam with 82% (95% CI 79-85; I2 99.04%) and Malaysia with 78% (95%CI 72-84; I2 99.88%). None of the ten determinants studied (age, sex, education, previous COVID-19 infections, smoking and marriage status, health insurance, living together, chronic diseases, and healthcare workers) were significantly associated with acceptance. This result will be useful in guiding vaccination uptake in SEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theo Audi Yanto
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Tangerang 15811, Indonesia
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22
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Bîrsanu SE, Plaiasu MC, Nanu CA. Informed Consent in Mass Vaccination against COVID-19 in Romania: Implications of Bad Management. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10111871. [PMID: 36366379 PMCID: PMC9693422 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Informing patients and obtaining valid informed consent were significant challenges for the COVID-19 immunization program. In Romania, the authorities issued a strategy for activities regarding vaccination against COVID-19, including the informed consent procedure. The lack of legal preparedness was evident when the medical personnel at the vaccination centers were provided with informed consent forms that did not respect the existing legal requirements. In addition, the protocol for persons seeking vaccination stated that the patient was supposed to receive the informed consent form from the receptionist in order to read and sign it. We analyzed the legal implications and the malpractice litigation risk associated with this practice. Due to essential deficiencies and in the absence of an official enactment of new regulations, we conclude that the vaccination consent process did not comply with the legal requirements. Implications include medical personnel’s legal liability, loss of malpractice insurance coverage, and public mistrust that may have contributed to a low vaccination rate. Given the potential of future pandemics or other health crises, this may be a valuable lesson for developing better legal strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sînziana-Elena Bîrsanu
- School of Advanced Studies of the Romanian Academy, 125 Calea Victoriei, 010071 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Maria Cristina Plaiasu
- Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rares Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-770-112-453
| | - Codrut Andrei Nanu
- Department No. 14 of Orthopedics, Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” Bucharest, 37 Dionisie Lupu Street, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
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Yoosefi Lebni J, Irandoost SF, Sedighi S, Ahmadi S, Hosseini R. Identifying the determinants of non-injection of covid-19 vaccine: A qualitative study in Urmia, Iran. Front Public Health 2022; 10:927400. [PMID: 35991053 PMCID: PMC9386546 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.927400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Extensive vaccination coverage is one of the most effective ways to control COVID-19 vaccine, but the tendency to inject the vaccine is always hampered and there are various determinants of non-injection. Hence, the present study was done with the aim of identifying the determinants of non-injection of COVID-19 vaccine with a qualitative approach in the city of Urmia in Iran. Methods The present study was conducted with a qualitative approach and conventional content analysis method among 36 people who refused to be vaccinated. Access to participants and data collection was done in person (28 interviews) and online (8 interviews) through targeted sampling and snowball method and semi-structured interviews. Data management was performed using MAXQDA-2018 software and its analysis was performed by Graneheim and Lundman method. Also, Guba and Lincoln criteria were observed to improve the quality of results. Results After analyzing the data, 3 main categories and 11 subcategories were obtained including (1) Individual factors (fear of short-term side effects of vaccine, personality traits, distrust of vaccines and pharmaceutical companies), (2) Socio-cultural factors (conspiracy theory, social learning, misconceptions about COVID-19, fatalism), legal and managerial factors (incomplete information, difficult and irregular access to vaccination centers, lack of restrictions and compulsion to be vaccinated, lack of incentives to be vaccinated). Conclusion The results showed that various determinants were involved in the non-injection of COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, efforts to increase vaccination coverage require comprehensive measures at different levels and cross-sectoral cooperation between governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Yoosefi Lebni
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Seyed Fahim Irandoost
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Sardar Sedighi
- Faculty of Physical Education, Sports Management Group, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sina Ahmadi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rana Hosseini
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
- *Correspondence: Rana Hosseini
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Napoli A, Miraglia del Giudice G, Corea F, Folcarelli L, Angelillo IF. Parents' reasons to vaccinate their children aged 5–11 years against COVID-19 in Italy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:949693. [PMID: 35983100 PMCID: PMC9378832 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.949693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesThe aims of this cross-sectional study were to investigate why parents decide to vaccinate, as well as the determinants, their children aged 5–11 years against COVID-19 in Italy.MethodsThe survey was conducted from January through May 2022. All parents/guardians who came in randomly selected days to immunization centers for the administration of the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to their child were asked to complete a questionnaire about socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes toward COVID-19 infection and vaccination, reason(s) regarding their decision to vaccinate their child, and source(s) of information.ResultsA total of 358 questionnaires were collected. Parent's perception that COVID-19 is a severe illness for the child, assessed using a 10-point Likert scale, was 7.5. The overall mean scores of the risk perception for their child of having the COVID-19 before and after the vaccination were 8.1 and 6.3. A significantly higher parents' level of risk perception for their child of having the COVID-19 after the vaccination has been observed among those not having a university degree, those with the child having at least one chronic medical condition, and those who perceived that COVID-19 is a severe illness for the child. The mean value of respondent trust in the information provided by the pediatricians on a 10-point scale Likert type was 7.6. Female, not having a university degree, higher perception that COVID-19 is a severe disease, not having received information about the vaccination from pediatricians, and needing information had a significantly higher concern of side effects after the vaccination. The most common reasons for vaccinating their children included wanting to protect the child against COVID-19, to attend the school with less risk, to prevent the transmission to family members, and to practice sport and other activities with less risks. Participants with a university degree were more likely to have vaccinated their child for attending the school and practicing sport and other activities with less risks.ConclusionsMore publicity should be promoted among parents of children aged 5–11 years which would increase the coverage rates and thus lower the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and reduce the occurrence of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Napoli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Corea
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucio Folcarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Italo Francesco Angelillo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Laboratory Services, Teaching Hospital of the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Italo Francesco Angelillo
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COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage and Potential Drivers of Vaccine Uptake among Healthcare Workers in SOMALIA: A Cross-Sectional Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10071116. [PMID: 35891280 PMCID: PMC9318518 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are one of the most vulnerable groups for contracting COVID-19 and dying as a result of it. Over 10,000 HCWs in Africa have been infected with COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization, making it a substantial occupational health threat for HCWs. To that end, Somalia’s Ministry of Health has ordered that all healthcare personnel obtain the COVID-19 vaccination to safeguard themselves and the community they serve. In this investigation, we aimed to assess the COVID-19 vaccination coverage and its associated factors among healthcare workers in Somalia. A cross-sectional study was employed to examine COVID-19 vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel in Somalia. The data were obtained via an online questionnaire supplied by Google forms between December 2021 and February 2022, where a total of 1281 healthcare workers from the various federal states of Somalia were recruited. A multinomial regression analysis was used to analyse the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Overall, 1281 HCWs participated (630 females, 651 males) with a mean age and standard deviation of 27.7 years ± 7.1. The overall vaccine coverage was 37.4%. Sex, age, the state of residency, education level, specialization, hospital COVID-19 policy, vaccine availability at the centre, COVID-19 treatment centre, and health facility level were the factors that influenced the COVID-19 vaccine uptake among health professionals in Somalia. Male healthcare employees were 2.2 times (odds ratio-OR = 2.2; confidence interval-CI: 1.70, 2.75, p < 0.001) more likely than female healthcare workers to be fully vaccinated. The survey discovered that the COVID-19 vaccine coverage among health professionals was quite low, with the major contributing factors being accessibility, security challenges and literary prowess. Additional efforts to enhance vaccination uptake are needed to improve the COVID-19 vaccination coverage.
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Vaccine Resistance and Hesitancy among Older Adults Who Live Alone or Only with an Older Partner in Community in the Early Stage of the Fifth Wave of COVID-19 in Hong Kong. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10071118. [PMID: 35891283 PMCID: PMC9324439 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is an effective way in providing protection against COVID-19 infection and severe outcomes. However, vaccine resistance and hesitancy are a great concern among vulnerable populations including older adults who live alone or only with an older partner. This study examined their vaccination status and reasons and associated factors of vaccine resistance and hesitancy. A cross-sectional study was conducted among older adults living alone or only with an older partner in communities in Hong Kong. Participants were interviewed between October 2021 and February 2022. Logistic regression analyses were employed to examine factors associated with vaccine resistance and hesitancy. Of the 2109 included participants, the mean age was 79.3 years (SD 7.6), 1460 (69.2%) were female, 1334 (63.3%) lived alone, and 1621 (76.9%) were receiving social security support. The vaccine uptake, non-uptake (i.e., resistance), and hesitancy rates were 50.1%, 34.4%, and 15.5%, respectively. The top four reasons for vaccine resistance and hesitancy were “Not feeling in good health” (27%), “Worry about vaccine side effects” (18%), “Feeling no need” (10%), and “Lack of recommendation from doctors” (9%). Vaccine resistance and hesitancy was significantly associated with older age, living alone, more chronic conditions, fewer types of social media use, and lower self-rated health status. Similar associations can be observed in their separate analysis for vaccine resistance and vaccine hesitancy, and ever hospital admission over the past 6 months was additionally related to vaccine hesitancy. Older people who live alone or only with an older partner had a low vaccination rate. Poor health or worry about vaccine side effects were the most common reasons for their vaccine resistance and hesitancy. Actions are greatly needed to improve the uptake rate among this vulnerable population, especially those who were older, have poorer health, and use less social media.
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Yin JDC. Media Data and Vaccine Hesitancy: Scoping Review. JMIR INFODEMIOLOGY 2022; 2:e37300. [PMID: 37113443 PMCID: PMC9987198 DOI: 10.2196/37300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Background Media studies are important for vaccine hesitancy research, as they analyze how the media shapes risk perceptions and vaccine uptake. Despite the growth in studies in this field owing to advances in computing and language processing and an expanding social media landscape, no study has consolidated the methodological approaches used to study vaccine hesitancy. Synthesizing this information can better structure and set a precedent for this growing subfield of digital epidemiology. Objective This review aimed to identify and illustrate the media platforms and methods used to study vaccine hesitancy and how they build or contribute to the study of the media's influence on vaccine hesitancy and public health. Methods This study followed the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. A search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus for any studies that used media data (social media or traditional media), had an outcome related to vaccine sentiment (opinion, uptake, hesitancy, acceptance, or stance), were written in English, and were published after 2010. Studies were screened by only 1 reviewer and extracted for media platform, analysis method, the theoretical models used, and outcomes. Results In total, 125 studies were included, of which 71 (56.8%) used traditional research methods and 54 (43.2%) used computational methods. Of the traditional methods, most used content analysis (43/71, 61%) and sentiment analysis (21/71, 30%) to analyze the texts. The most common platforms were newspapers, print media, and web-based news. The computational methods mostly used sentiment analysis (31/54, 57%), topic modeling (18/54, 33%), and network analysis (17/54, 31%). Fewer studies used projections (2/54, 4%) and feature extraction (1/54, 2%). The most common platforms were Twitter and Facebook. Theoretically, most studies were weak. The following five major categories of studies arose: antivaccination themes centered on the distrust of institutions, civil liberties, misinformation, conspiracy theories, and vaccine-specific concerns; provaccination themes centered on ensuring vaccine safety using scientific literature; framing being important and health professionals and personal stories having the largest impact on shaping vaccine opinion; the coverage of vaccination-related data mostly identifying negative vaccine content and revealing deeply fractured vaccine communities and echo chambers; and the public reacting to and focusing on certain signals-in particular cases, deaths, and scandals-which suggests a more volatile period for the spread of information. Conclusions The heterogeneity in the use of media to study vaccines can be better consolidated through theoretical grounding. Areas of suggested research include understanding how trust in institutions is associated with vaccine uptake, how misinformation and information signaling influence vaccine uptake, and the evaluation of government communications on vaccine rollouts and vaccine-related events. The review ends with a statement that media data analyses, though groundbreaking in approach, should supplement-not supplant-current practices in public health research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Dean-Chen Yin
- School of Public Health Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong China (Hong Kong)
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