ABSTRACT
Background A large proportion of the European population seeks information about the COVID-19 vaccination on the internet. The population seems to split into those with positive stance on the vaccination and those with negative stance, but there are still individuals who do not have a final position yet. By now, there is a lack of understanding about the online information seeking behavior in these three groups. The current analysis sheds light on differences in internet usage and requested qualities of online information regarding the COVID-19 vaccination. Methods An online survey with N = 1,000 people (18-74 years) living in Germany was conducted between November 26 and December 8, 2021. The questionnaire included closed questions about frequency, information channels, formats and reasons of online information seeking, as well as one open question about requested qualities of online content. We conducted bivariate analysis for differences in information seeking behavior and content analysis for the requests. Results Information seeking behavior differed significantly by attitude towards the vaccination regarding frequency, almost all types of formats, three of ten listed information channels, and three of six reasons for online information seeking. Undecided participants and those who support COVID-19 vaccination used the internet more often than participants who are against the vaccination. Individuals supporting vaccination preferred reading text contributions (e.g. online articles). Informative videos were more often consumed by those who are undecided or against vaccination. Those who have not decided yet preferred online resources providing full information about side-effects and showing reliable facts by credible sources. Conclusions Our findings support an online vaccination communication that is tailored to target groups with different attitudes towards the vaccination. Overall, online campaigns should focus on transparent, reliable and complete information. Key messages • Online information seeking behavior regarding COVID-19 vaccination varies between individuals with different attitudes towards the vaccination. • Online information about the COVID-19 vaccination should focus on transparency and reliable information.
ABSTRACT
Background An OECD benchmark (2020) shows that Germany has, in effect, an above-average healthcare infrastructure to face COVID-19. Nevertheless, at the beginning of the pandemic, there were restrictions and uncertainties in the use of health-related services. The following analysis examines the subjective perception of respondents with their healthcare provision whether there were sociodemographic differences. Methods Data from an online cross-sectional survey conducted between 29 April and 8 May 2020 were used (N = 1,570;18-74 years). Bivariate test methods were used for analysis, stratified by age group, subjective social status (SSS) and chronic illness. The subjective perception was assessed via subjects' subjectively perceived worries, fears and difficulties of not receiving an adequate healthcare provision during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, an index was constructed with a range of values from 3 to 12 (Cronbach's α = 0.886). A higher index implies a poorer perception of the healthcare provision. Results Compared to the groups 50-59-year-olds and 60 years and older the 18-29-year-olds (MRank 431.1) had a significantly (p < 0.05) poorer perception of their healthcare provision during COVID-19. In addition, probands with low SSS were found to have a significantly (p < 0.05) worse perception (MRank 423.0) than subjects with medium SSS (MRank 374.1). Chronically ill subjects suffered significantly poorer perception (MRank 406.1;p < 0.05) compared to healthy subjects (MRank 366.0). Conclusions Vulnerable groups with poorer perceptions of their health care provision during COVID-19 can be identified. More investigation is needed to identify subjective or COVID-19 related predictors that cause this subjective perception. Reference OECD (2020). Beyond Containment: Health systems responses to COVID-19 in the OECD. Available: https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/view/?ref=119_119689-ud5comtf84&title=Beyond_Containment:Health_systems_responses_to_COVID-19_in_the_OECD (Accessed: 14.04.2021) Key messages It was found that respondents perceived their subjective healthcare provision during COVID-19 differently, according to sociodemographic stratification. Especially younger, chronically ill, and socioeconomically deprived respondents experienced a poorer perception of their healthcare provision during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.