[Factors Influencing the COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions in Nurses: Korea, February 2021]

Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination intention among parents of children aged 5-11 years in South Korea: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting parents' intentions to have their children aged 5-11 years vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

METHODS

The participants of the study were 298 parents with children aged 5-11 years in South Korea. Data collection took place from October 20 to October 26, 2022 and used an online survey (Google Forms). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t test, analysis of variance, the Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical regression in IBM SPSS version 26.0.

RESULTS

The factors influencing participants' vaccination intentions for their children aged 5-11 years were cognitive behavioral control (β=.40, p<.001), attitudes (β=.37, p<.001), subjective norms (β=.20, p<.001), and awareness of whether their child could receive the COVID-19 vaccine (β=.07, p=.016). The explanatory power of the regression equation was 89%.

CONCLUSION

Parents' intentions to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 are influenced by their attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control toward vaccines. Since parents are concerned about vaccine side effects, it is important to establish a trusted line of communication to keep them informed about vaccinations.

[The Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the 5C Psychological Antecedents of Vaccination Scale]

PURPOSE

This study aimed to valuate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the 5C Psychological Antecedents of Vaccination (K-5C) scale.

METHODS

The English version of the 5C scale was translated into Korean, following the World Health Organization guidelines. Data were collected from 316 community-dwelling adults. Content validity was evaluated using the content validity index, while construct validity was evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent validity was examined by assessing the correlation with vaccination attitude, and concurrent validity was evaluated by examining the association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination status. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Content validity results indicated an item-level content validity index ranging from .83 to 1, and scale-level content validity index, averaging method was .95. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the fit of the measurement model, comprising a five-factor structure with a 15-item questionnaire (RMSEA = .05, SRMR = .05, CFI = .97, TLI = .96). Convergent validity was acceptable with a significant correlation between each sub-scale of the 5C scale and vaccination attitude. In concurrent validity evaluation, confidence, constraints, and collective responsibility of the 5C scale were significant independent predictors of the current COVID-19 vaccination status. Cronbach's alpha for each subscale ranged from .78 to .88, and the intraclass correlation coefficient for each subscale ranged from .67 to .89.

CONCLUSION

The Korean version of the 5C scale is a valid and reliable tool to assess the psychological antecedents of vaccination among Korean adults.

[Factors Influencing the COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions in Parents for Their Children Aged 5~11: Korea, April 2022]

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 vaccination intentions in Korean parents for their children aged 5 to 11 years and the factors influencing them.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey of 363 parents of children aged 5 to 11 years was conducted in Korea in April 2022. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, χ²-test, Fisher's exact test, and hierarchical logistic regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 26.0 and MedCalc software version 20.113.

RESULTS

Of 363 Korean parents with children aged 5 to 11, 42.4% intended to vaccinate their children. Significant factors influencing vaccination intention were the second or third birth order of children (OR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.45~8.21), vaccine hesitancy-confidence (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.51~2.65), vaccine hesitancy-collective responsibility (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.10~2.25), and COVID-19 anxiety-avoidance (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.13~2.11).

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that COVID-19 vaccine campaigns based on reliable information and evidence from health authorities are needed to increase COVID-19 vaccination. Well-designed health communications for the target population may help to increase parental vaccine acceptance.

Adapting and Validating the COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Vaccine Conspiracy Beliefs Scales in Korea

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has emphasized a need to assess the cause of vaccine hesitancy. This study verified the reliability and validity of the Korean versions of the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy scale and vaccine conspiracy belief scale and the correlation between them. The COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy scale, Korean COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy scale, vaccine conspiracy beliefs scale, and self-efficacy scale were the study tools. Following translation into Korean, back translation into English, content validity verification, and preliminary survey, valid samples were obtained from 400 adults aged >20 years. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that “belief” and “lack of trust” accounted for 62.4% of the total variance. The model fit index of the vaccine conspiracy beliefs scale revealed that all values were in a good range. The Korean version of the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy scale showed a positive correlation with vaccine conspiracy beliefs (r = 0.74, p < 0.001) and a significant negative correlation with self-efficacy (r = −0.17, p < 0.001). The validity and reliability of the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy scale and vaccine conspiracy beliefs scale were verified. The Korean versions of the two scales can contribute to programs that measure and mediate various factors influencing vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Confidence in a Vaccine against COVID-19 among Registered Nurses in Barcelona, Spain across Two Time Periods

OBJECTIVE

To report the vaccine hesitancy (VH) for a vaccine against COVID-19 in registered nurses in Barcelona, with measurements taken at two stages, prior to the vaccination campaign and once 75% vaccination coverage had been reached.

METHODS

A self-completed online survey was administered in December 2020 and again in July 2021 through the College of Nurses of Barcelona. It measured the prevalence of VH against a government-approved vaccine recommended by their employer, their intention to be vaccinated, perceptions of disease risk and vaccine protection, attitudes and beliefs to vaccination and social norm. Bivariate analysis according to VH and application time are presented.

RESULTS

2430 valid responses were obtained in the first measurement and 2027 in the second. At both times, 86% were women and 69% worked mainly in the public sector. Prior to the vaccine availability, VH was 34.2%, decreasing to 17.9%. Risk perceptions were significantly lower in those with VH compared to non-VH, in all groups studied and at both times, while safety and efficacy perceptions increased in all groups, significantly less in VH. The greatest benefit of the COVID-19 vaccine is perceived by pharmaceutical companies. VH nurses perceived a more hesitant social environment.

CONCLUSION

As the vaccination was rolled out, VH in nurses declined, with time improving the confidence in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. Risk perceptions also decreased over time, except for the perception of severity in HCW where it increased. Trust in institutions impacts trust in vaccines.