ABSTRACT
Objective: To find the frequency of intentions and it's affecting factors of readiness and reluctance for COVID-19 vaccination and their association with demographic attributes in Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Civil Hospital, Karachi and included participants whose age was >= 18 years. The people who were previously infected with COVID-19 or already vaccinated were excluded from the study. Purposive sampling was applied to enrol 400 participants and a self-developed questionnaire was administered to gather data. Data were analysed using SPSS 20. Result(s): Out of 400 participants, 260 (65%) were willing and 140 (35%) were reluctant to have COVID-19 vaccination. Willing participants were affected by three factors such as vaccination is the 55 (21.1%) the best way to avoid from serious illness, doctors' suggestion 45 (17.5.0%), and self and family protection 40 (15.4%). Reluctant participants were also affected by three factors including 22 (15.8%) unforeseen side effects, 25 (18.0%) belief in conspiracy theory for vaccination, and 26 (18.5%) development of a vaccine is too quick. Age and education showed a significant association with the intentions of COVID-19 vaccination (p < 0.5). Conclusion(s): This study highlighted that65% of participants were willing, and 35% were reluctant to have COVID-19 vaccination. Three factors were affected on willingness and three factors on reluctance of participants for COVID-19 vaccination. Age and gender were found significantly associated with the intentions of COVID-19 vaccination. Copyright © 2022, Pakistan Medical Association. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess facts and myths of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) among patients in tertiary care hospital Karachi, Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive study was carried out at Out Patients Department from October 2020 to February 2021 in Dow hospital Karachi. A total of 200 participants were recruited from those who came outpatient department for their follow-up and whose age was>18 years, using the non-probability purposive method. Exclusion criteria of the study involved those patients who were not willing and had any history of serious illness. Data was collected through a questionnaire, which has 02 parts. 1st part is about demographic information, and 2nd part includes 23 items (facts=12 items and myths=11 items) related to realities and misconceptions of Coronavirus. SPSS 21 was used for data entry and data analysis. RESULTS: Out of 200 participants, 136(68%) were unaware of facts, the highest percentage 22(16.2%) about the age and comorbidities, 20 (14.7%) social distance, and 18 (13.2%) wearing a mask. While: 159 (79.5%) had myths, the highest prevalent myths were about conspiracy 22(13.8%), home remedies 26 (16.3%), and warm water 21(13.2%).A majority of the participant’s (32.0%) age lies between 31 to 40 years and, male (71.0%), married (64.0%), Post-graduated (63.0%), own business (32%), income lies between 16000-30000 and Sindhi culture(61.5%). CONCLUSION: Present study highlighted, a vast majority were not aware of the facts and myths of Covid-19.For instance: facts about old age and co-morbidities, social distance, wearing mask, and myths regarding conspiracy, home remedies, and warm water.