ABSTRACT
Background: Following the rollout of several effective vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many countries have introduced vaccination passports or certificates as a means of certifying that an individual has been vaccinated against, is immune to, or is presently uninfected with COVID-19. An extensive ethical debate has ensued. Aim: To determine the perspectives of South African healthcare workers (HCWs) on the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination passports (C19VPs) in South Africa (SA). Setting: Healthcare workers working in various fields and practice settings throughout SA were invited to complete an online questionnaire. Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed using convenience sampling via social media platforms to HCWs over a 1-month period, collecting demographic details and responses to 8 Likert-type items regarding agreement with C19VPs, ethical issues and feasibility. Each item was graded from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), with grouping of 4 of the 8 items exploring a common theme of C19VPs being a good idea, constituting a score out of 20. Non-parametric tests were performed to determine differences in responses between groups. Results: One thousand HCWs responded to the survey and fulfilled inclusion criteria. The majority (83.2%) of respondents were medical practitioners (MPs). Overall, most (73.5%) respondents agreed that C19VPs are a good idea. Older respondents agreed more strongly than younger respondents (medians 18 and 17, respectively, p = 0.001), and respondents in private practice agreed more strongly than those in state practice (medians 18 and 16, respectively, p = 0.042). The median response was neutral (3) in response to the ethics of C19VPs considering variations in vaccine access and tending towards disagreement (2.5) in disadvantaging poorer people. Most respondents disagreed that vaccine hesitancy would make C19VPs unethical, and responses from provinces with the highest vaccination proportions disagreed more than others with lower vaccination proportion (median 2 compared with 3, p < 0.001). There was uncertainty about the feasibility of C19VPs in SA, with older HCWs, non-students, senior MPs and those who thought C19VPs are a good idea being more likely to consider them feasible. Conclusion: The perspectives of HCWs, mainly MPs, about C19VPs in SA were obtained. Further research should focus on vaccine hesitancy and its factors in HCWs and the effect of C19VPs on restrictions, reduction in transmission and benefits on economies and mental health.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Health Personnel , Vaccination Refusal , COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19ABSTRACT
Objectif. La pandémie de COVID-19 a été cause d'une mortalité élevée chez les patients porteurs de comorbidités comme les pathologies cardiovasculaires. L'accélération de la mise sur marché des vaccins contre la pandémie a suscité une réticence envers ces derniers. L'étudié porte sur l'attitude des patients porteurs de pathologie cardiovasculaires vus en consultation cardiologique à Ouahigouya vis-à-vis de la vaccination contre la COVID-19. Population et méthodes. Une étude transversale a été menée du 1er au 25 avril 2022 dans trois cliniques privées de la ville de Ouahigouya. Nous avons inclus les patients consentants et porteurs de pathologie cardiovasculaire vus en consultation cardiologique. Le questionnaire était centré sur les connaissances, attitudes et pratiques de groupe vis-à-vis de la vaccination, notamment les raisons de 'l'acceptation ou du refus de se faire vacciner. Résultats. Cent-un patients ont été interviewés. Le sex-ratio était 1,46 avec un âge moyen de 48,26 ± 11,93 ans. Les plus représentés étaient les travailleurs indépendants, les urbains, les musulmans, les non-scolarisés et les mariés. L'HTA et ses complications étaient les atteintes cardiovasculaires les plus fréquentes (93,07%). La proportion de vaccinés était de 55,45%. Les raisons les plus évoquées par les vaccinés pour se vacciner étaient pour se protéger (100%) et le suivi des Recommandations gouvernementales et des agents respectivement 78,52% et 72,21%. Les raisons de l'hésitation vaccinale les plus citées étaient : la COVID-19 est une maladie banale (62,22%) et la peur des effets secondaires (44,44%). Conclusion. La vaccination contre la COVID-19 devrait se poursuivre, accompagnée d'une sensibilisation efficace afin d'améliorer le taux de couverture vaccinale parmi les patients porteurs de pathologies cardiovasculaires
Objective. COVID-19 pandemic has caused high mortality in patients with comorbidities such as cardiovascular pathologies. The acceleration of the marketing of vaccines against the pandemic has caused reluctance towards them. The study focuses on the attitude of patients with cardiovascular disease seen in cardiology consultation in Ouahigouya vis-à-vis COVID-19 vaccination. Population and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to 25, 2022 in three private clinics of the city of Ouahigouya. We included consenting patients and carriers of cardiovascular pathology seen in cardiology consultation. Our main data of interest were the knowledge, attitude and practice of this population towards vaccination, especially thereasons for accepting or refusing vaccination. Results One hundred and one patients were interviewed. The sex ratio was 1.46 with an average age of 48.26 ± 11.93 years. The most represented were the self-employed, urban dwellers, Muslims, the uneducated and the married. Hypertension and its complications were the most common cardiovascular disorders (93.07%). The proportion of vaccinated was 55.45%. The reasons most mentioned by the vaccinated for getting vaccinated were to protect themselves (100%) and to follow government recommendations and agents, respectively 78.52% and 72.21%. The most cited reasons for vaccine hesitation were: COVID-19 is a common disease (62.22%) and fear of side effects (44.44%). Conclusion. Vaccination against COVID-19 must continue, accompanied by effective awareness-raising in order to improve the vaccination coverage rate among patients with cardiovascular pathologies