COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its associated factors among Palestinian healthcare workers: Expectations beaten by reality.

BACKGROUND: In response to this extraordinary outbreak, many countries and companies rush to develop an effective vaccine, authorize, and deliver it to all people across the world. Despite these extensive efforts, curbing this pandemic relies highly upon vaccination coverage. This study aimed to determine SARS-COV-2 vaccine uptake among Palestinian healthcare workers, the factors that influence vaccination uptake, and the motivators and barriers to vaccination. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online anonymous self-administered questionnaire during April and May 2021, after the Palestinian Ministry of Health launched the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The questionnaire collected socio-demographic characteristics, vaccination attitude and vaccination uptake status, and motivators and barriers towards vaccination. In addition, multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the influencing factors of vaccination uptake. RESULTS: The study included 1018 participants from different professions, including 560 (55.0%) females. Of the participants, 677 (66.5%; 95% CI: 63.5-69.4%) received the vaccine. Higher uptake was observed among males (aOR = 1.5; 95 %CI: 1.1-2.1), single HCWs (aOR = 1.3; 95 %CI: 1.1-1.8), HCWs working in the non-governmental sector (aOR = 1.6; 95 %CI: 1.2-2.4), higher monthly income (aOR = 1.9; 95 %CI: 1.4-2.8) and smoking (aOR = 1.5; 95 %CI: 1.1-3.5). The lower level of negative vaccination attitudes predicted higher intake; mistrust of vaccine belief (aOR = 1.6; 95 %CI: 1.4-1.7) and worries over unforeseen future effects (aOR = 1.2; 95 %CI: 1.1-1.3). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the COVID-19 vaccination uptake was comparable to other studies worldwide but still needs to be improved, especially in the context of this ongoing global pandemic. It is imperative to invest resources to promote vaccination uptake and target all the vaccine misconceptions and fears.

COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its associated factors among Palestinian healthcare workers: Expectations beaten by reality

Background In response to this extraordinary outbreak, many countries and companies rush to develop an effective vaccine, authorize, and deliver it to all people across the world. Despite these extensive efforts, curbing this pandemic relies highly upon vaccination coverage. This study aimed to determine SARS-COV-2 vaccine uptake among Palestinian healthcare workers, the factors that influence vaccination uptake, and the motivators and barriers to vaccination. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online anonymous self-administered questionnaire during April and May 2021, after the Palestinian Ministry of Health launched the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The questionnaire collected socio-demographic characteristics, vaccination attitude and vaccination uptake status, and motivators and barriers towards vaccination. In addition, multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the influencing factors of vaccination uptake. Results The study included 1018 participants from different professions, including 560 (55.0%) females. Of the participants, 677 (66.5%;95% CI: 63.5%- 69.4%) received the vaccine. Higher uptake was observed among males (aOR=1.5;95%CI: 1.1-2.1), single HCWs (aOR=1.3;95%CI: 1.1-1.8), HCWs working in the non-governmental sector (aOR=1.6;95%CI: 1.2-2.4), higher monthly income (aOR=1.9;95%CI: 1.4-2.8) and smoking (aOR=1.5;95%CI: 1.1-3.5). The lower level of negative vaccination attitudes predicted higher intake;mistrust of vaccine belief (aOR=1.6;95%CI: 1.4-1.7) and worries over unforeseen future effects (aOR=1.2;95%CI: 1.1-1.3). Conclusion In conclusion, the COVID-19 vaccination uptake was comparable to other studies worldwide but still needs to be improved, especially in the context of this ongoing global pandemic. It is imperative to invest resources to promote vaccination uptake and target all the vaccine misconceptions and fears.

THE ROLE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE CYBERSECURITY: A MANAGERIAL AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The years 2020-2021 were a turning point on several grounds. The way of living and working were dramatically changed. Almost all institutions, in both public and private sectors, are forced to change the way of routine operations. The remote working and social distance have become the new style of life. Cybersecurity is one of the most important aspects that forced citizens to deal with. The focus of using online applications increased the appetite of hackers, especially that the appearance of users with limited experience of using internet applications. This study sheds the light on the role of Covid-19 and its influence on cybersecurity issues in Jordan. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies have been employed for the data collection and analysis process. The qualitative data was collected through conducting 11 semi-structured interviews;where as 312 surveys have been successfully collected and analyzed to cover the quantitative part of this research. In addition, the data collection process includes an experimental method through testing 5 servers, 16 laptops, and 14 desktops using several antispam and antivirus applications. Moreover, several software tools such as Nvivo, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft business intelligence, and visual programming were used for the data analysis process.