Parental health beliefs, intention, and strategies about covid-19 vaccine for their children: A cross-sectional analysis from five Arab countries in the Middle East.

BACKGROUND: The issue around vaccination of children has brought divergent opinions among the populations across the globe and among the Arab population. There has been a low response rate to the calls for vaccination of children and this is reflective of the sentiments which parents may have towards their children being vaccinated. This study aims to explore the parents' health beliefs, intentions, and strategies towards the COVID-19 vaccine for their children among Arab population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using an online survey from October to December 2021, was carried out in five Arab countries in the Middle East. A reliable health belief model (HBM) including five domains: severity, susceptibility, benefits, barriers and cues to action, was adopted. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney test, and multivariable logistic regression were performed for data analysis. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 58 % (1154/2000). Only 56 % of Arab parents are intended to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. The mean scores of parental health belief are largely driven by their concern over the vaccine's side effect (p = 0.001) followed by its efficacy, safety (p < 0.001), and scheduling difficulty (p = 0.029). However, strategies that were statistically encouraged parents to vaccinate their children included doctor's recommendation, adequate information being provided, and acceptance of the vaccine by public (p < 0.001). Parents with one child were almost three times most likely to vaccinate their children (OR = 2.660, 95 %CI = 1.572-4.504, p < 0.001). Parents' desire to vaccinate their children is also influenced by other factors such as job loss owing to COVID-19 and the presence of a health worker in the family. CONCLUSION: Intention of Arab parents to vaccinate their children via COVID-19 vaccine is still limited. Thus, it is essential for health care authorities to avail the information which will debunk the erroneous beliefs which some parents have developed towards the vaccination of children against COVID-19.

Lockdown Fatigue and University Students: Exploring the Factors That Play Significant Roles in the Level of Lockdown Fatigue Among University Students in the Era of COVID-19.

Background: Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the educational sector has undergone a series of changes which have affected both learners and students alike. As a result, the distortion of the students' daily routine, isolation, social distancing and potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus changed almost all of the aspects of student life which has led to exhaustion of students, with both psychological and emotional challenges. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to determine the factors that have a significant impact on the level of lockdown fatigue among university students in the era of COVID-19. Methods: A cross sectional was undertaken for this study. A questionnaire was designed and then shared electronically with the respondents of this study. The respondents were 819 students from tertiary institutions in Iraq. Some of the scales used in ranking the responses of the participants are the Lockdown Fatigue scale, Brief Resilience Scale and Coping Behaviours questionnaire. Data analysis was. Results: Overall, the students had a high level of fatigue due to lockdown-measurement. Emptiness was one of the dominant feelings experienced by the students, along with concern for the safety and well-being of their own families. There was general agreement that students take a long time to return to normal routines after stressful events. The students also indicated that they cope with the lockdown through a variety of activities, ranging from making jokes about the situation to putting their faith in a higher power. Male student were less likely to suffer from lockdown-fatigue, however, studying in public university, being from urban areas, and studying in science field are the most significant factors that increase the level of lockdown. However, lower levels of lockdown fatigue were linked to significantly higher levels of personal resilience and coping abilities. Conclusion: High level of lockdown fatigue among students is noticed, and several factors have been identified. Therefore, it is helpful for students to consistently work on reinforcing positive habits which would help them to build resilience when they are subjected to stressful conditions and scenarios.