To Vaccinate or Not: The Relative Impact of Attitudes toward Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Ability to Interpret Scientific Information on Vaccination Decisions

Reported Barriers and Facilitators for Autistic Individuals, Persons with Other Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and Their Caregivers to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine: A Pilot Study

Autistic individuals and persons with other intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) may experience challenges in social engagement, sensory processing, and behavior rigidity. This population is more likely to face barriers to successful preventative healthcare, including vaccines, compared to neurotypical peers. Autistic individuals and persons with other IDD may be at greater risk for COVID-19 infection due to sensory dysregulation that interferes with mitigation such as wearing masks, and challenges in social communication that impose difficulties in understanding and adhering to prevention measures. Adaptations are needed to make vaccine opportunities more accessible for neurodivergent individuals. A series of seven Sensory-Friendly COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics (SFVCs) were conducted between December 2021 and August 2022 in collaboration with the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. SFVCs examined perceived barriers and facilitators to vaccine experiences, based on feedback from autistic individual/persons with IDD and their caregivers. Surveys were administered to autistic individuals/persons with IDD or their caregivers (n = 35) from the larger sample who attended the clinic; 18 participants also complete a supplemental interview. Scaled survey questions were analyzed to determine the acceptability of the SFVCs. Open-ended survey questions and interview responses were coded thematically to identify barriers, facilitators, and areas of improvement. All individuals who came to a SFVC with intent to be vaccinated were successfully administered a COVID-19 vaccine. More than 90% of participants reported that experiences at the SFVCs were positive, promoted retention, and they would recommend clinics to others. Staff clinical expertise, sensory-friendly elements, and hosting clinics at a neutral location (free from past medical history) served as facilitators to successful vaccine administration, whereas factors such as ill-equipped pharmacy staff, behavioral challenges, and logistical issues may serve as barriers. Incorporating reported barriers, facilitators, and accommodations of SFVC experiences may lead to more successful preventative healthcare processes for neurodivergent individuals.

Measuring the Wrong Thing the Right Way? Time to Rethink Autism Research Tools

Awareness and understanding of autism are increasing, sometimes in small incremental steps and sometimes through paradigm shifts. Much of this is driven by autistic advocates, whose voices are increasingly recognized as experts in their own lived experiences. The growing presence of autistic people in autism research-as participants, advisors, and (co)researchers-has brought about changes in the quality and relevance of autism research. We are seeing more studies by autistic autism researchers, more studies on issues of importance to autistic people, and more studies utilizing methodologies that resonate with autistic people. However, there remains a reliance on measures that are technically "valid" and "reliable" rather than relevant. As long as this is the case, we will continue to see studies published that "explain autism" in ways that do not reflect autistic experiences. Autism research is still making incremental changes and it is time for a paradigm shift.

Behavioral intention and its predictors toward COVID-19 vaccination among people most at risk of exposure in Ethiopia: applying the theory of planned behavior model

Acceptance of a vaccine or hesitancy has great public health implications as these partly determine the extent to which people are exposed to infections that could have otherwise been prevented. There is a high need for a more updated understanding of the behavioral intention of the public toward COVID-19 vaccines and associated factors in light of the COVID-19 pandemic to give appropriate public health messages or actions. Thus, the study aimed to assess behavioral intention and its predictors toward COVID-19 vaccine among people most at risk of exposure in Ethiopia. A population-based anonymous online survey was conducted on individuals aged greater than 18 years from May 01, 2021 to June 30, 2021. The data were collected using a convenient sampling method through an online self-administered, structured questionnaire that was created onto Google survey tool (Google Forms) and disseminated to the public on different social media channels through online sharable platforms. Descriptive statistics were done. Bivariateand multivariable logistic regression was done to show the association of behavioral intention toward the COVID-19 vaccine. The associations of variables were declared with the use of 95% CI and P-value. A total of 1080 participants were included in this survey. Seven hundred one (64.9%) of the respondents had a behavioral intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Males (AOR = 1.41 (95% CI = 1.004-2.53)), degree in level of education (AOR = 0.815 (95% CI = 0.254-0.916)), good knowledge (AOR = 4.21 (95% CI = 2.871-6.992)), attitude (AOR = 2.78 (95% CI = 1.654-4.102)), subjective norm (AOR = 1.214 (95% CI = 1.008-4.309)) and perceived behavioral control (AOR = 3.531 (95%CI = 1.689-5.201)) were found to be significantly associated with behavioral intention toward COVID-19 vaccine. Generally, the prevalence of behavioral intention in Ethiopia is low. Males, degree level of education, knowledge about vaccine, attitude toward vaccine subjective norm and perceived behavioral control were found to be significantly associated with intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine. Health education and communication from government sources are very crucial methods to alleviate the negative attitude, poor knowledge, and action need to improve or change the attitude and behavior of influential people within the community or organization to improve intention to take the vaccine.

Willingness to Take COVID-19 Vaccine Among People Most at Risk of Exposure in Southern Ethiopia

Background

Acceptance of a vaccine or hesitancy towards it have great public health implications as they partly determine the extent to which people are exposed to infections that could have otherwise been prevented. The present study examined the willingness of primary and secondary school teachers, bank employees, and university instructors in southern Ethiopia to take a Covid-19 vaccine and the factors associated with their willingness.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used with a quantitative research approach. Primary data were gathered mainly through the use of a survey research method in which a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to randomly selected research participants in Wolaita Sodo town. Data analysis was conducted using statistical techniques, including percentages, frequency distributions, and logistic regression analysis.

Results

Research participants generally had a low (46.1%) willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine. The main reason for most (37%) respondents’ hesitancy to take the vaccine is found to be the concern over the safety and/or the side effects of the vaccine (37%), followed by doubt about the vaccine’s effectiveness (20.7%), and lack of adequate information (12.7%). Moreover, 38.9% of survey participants revealed that they would like to take a COVID-19 vaccine other than AstraZeneca whereas 61.1% of respondents replied that they do not want to take any kind of COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, respondents’ willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine is significantly associated with attitude towards the vaccine (OR = 2.830; 95% CI = 1.834–4.368), belief that Covid-19 exists in the study area (OR = 0.221; 95% CI = 0.083–0.589), the perception that prevalence and death rate reports of the government are real (OR = 0.365; 95% CI = 0.197–0.676), status of chronic diseases (OR = 2.883; 95%CI = 1.039–7.999), and having a close relative/friend ever infected by COVID-19 (OR = 2.602; 95% CI = 1.117–6.063).

Conclusion

The findings of the research demonstrated that there is generally low willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine among university instructors, bank employees, and primary and secondary school teachers in southern Ethiopia. Therefore, the federal ministry of health, Ethiopian food and drug controlling agency, the media, and all other concerned organizations should create increased awareness about the safety/side effects issues and the need to take the vaccine.

To Vaccinate or Not: The Relative Impact of Attitudes toward Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Ability to Interpret Scientific Information on Vaccination Decisions

Background. This pilot study investigated vaccine decision making, i.e., the relationships between knowledge and attitudes towards autism spectrum disorders (ASD), scientific literacy, attitudes toward the (MMR) vaccine, and children’s MMR vaccination status. Methods. A sample of 132 parents and expectant parents (mean age 38.40 years; >60% with university education) participated in a survey where they were asked about their knowledge of ASD, attitudes towards ASD and MMR, and their children’s MMR vaccine status. The participants also completed a standardized science test (The American College Test) to test their scientific literacy. Results. Knowledge of ASD was positively correlated with attitudes towards ASD. Attitudes towards ASD were positively correlated with scientific literacy and attitudes towards MMR. Attitudes towards MMR were positively correlated with MMR vaccine status (i.e., vaccination decision). Discussion. Factors other than scientific literacy seem to contribute towards children’s MMR vaccine status such as attitudes towards MMR. However, these are preliminary findings and need to be interpreted with caution.