Decision-making on childhood vaccination against COVID-19 by nurses in Cyprus: A cross-sectional online survey.

Individuals with high health literacy, such as healthcare workers, are expected to appreciate vaccination benefits and ensure the vaccination of their children. The objective of this study was to examine the factors influencing nurses' decision to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. An online cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2020 (8th-28th), before COVID-19 vaccine availability in Cyprus, and employed an anonymous self-administered survey with questions related to socio-demographic characteristics, general vaccine knowledge, and COVID-19 vaccination. Three hundred five nurses with at least one minor child completed the online questionnaire. A small proportion of participants (15.2%) planned to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19. Interestingly, a higher level of vaccination knowledge score was linked with increased likelihood of vaccination intention (OR = 1.35, 95% CI:1.08-1.68), which remained statistically significant after adjusting for age and gender (OR = 1.33, 95% CI:1.06-1.66), socioeconomic (OR = 1.35, 95% CI:1.07-1.70), and demographic characteristics (OR = 1.38, 95% CI:1.07-1.77). Specific characteristics such as older age and being married/in cohabitation status were linked to higher odds of accepting the childhood vaccination against COVID-19. Acceptance of childhood vaccination against COVID-19 is linked with nurses' vaccination knowledge, therefore, public health authorities may focus on educational campaigns to promote childhood vaccination.

General vaccination knowledge influences nurses' and midwives' COVID-19 vaccination intention in Cyprus: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

This cross-sectional study was conducted during the period between 08 and 28 December 2020 to investigate the association of nurses' and midwives' level of vaccination knowledge and the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance for themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic era in Cyprus. Participants included registered nurses and midwives working in public or private service provision. Data collection was achieved using a self-administered questionnaire with questions on socio-demographic characteristics, questions assessing participants' general vaccination knowledge, and questions related to COVID-19 vaccination. A total of 437 responders answered the survey, with 93% being nurses and 7% midwives. The results indicate that as the vaccination knowledge score increases (higher knowledge) the probability of accepting the COVID-19 vaccination increases too (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.13-1.48). The association between vaccination knowledge and the intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19 remained statistically significant, even after adjusting for age and gender (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.12-1.47), socioeconomic (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.12-1.48), and demographic characteristics (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.11-1.49). Also, as age increases, the probability of accepting the COVID-19 vaccination increases, while female respondents had a lower probability of accepting the COVID-19 vaccination than male respondents. This study demonstrated that COVID-19 vaccination acceptance is related to the vaccination knowledge of the nurses and midwives in Cyprus. Targeted vaccination campaigns are needed to improve nurses' and midwives' level of vaccination knowledge in order to achieve a better coverage among them, as well as to influence their patients' ultimate positive vaccine decision.

Knowledge and attitudes toward vaccination among nurses and midwives in Cyprus: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To assess the level of knowledge and attitudes of nurses and midwives in Cyprus toward vaccinations and provide new insights into the determinants that influence them. METHODS: An online cross-sectional study was carried out during the period between December 08 and 28 2020. Participants included registered nurses and midwives working in public or private service provision. A self-administered questionnaire was used with questions about sociodemographic characteristics, questions assessing attitudes and beliefs toward vaccination, and participants' general vaccine knowledge. FINDINGS: A total of 437 responders answered the survey, with 93% being nurses and 7% midwives. Around two-thirds (67.3%) of the participants had a high vaccination knowledge, while the remaining have moderate (30.7%), and low (2.1%), respectively. Most of the participants agreed that by vaccinating they protect themselves and those around them (80.5%) and that when most people are not vaccinated, epidemics can easily initiate (74%). Oppositely, many participants disagreed with vaccination and avoided it due to a fear of injections (95.4%) or the belief that it is better to get sick rather than be vaccinated (69.1%). Neutral attitudes toward vaccine-mediated side effects (43.1%) and vaccination safety (41.7%) were observed. Sociodemographic factors such as age, educational status, and work setting significantly affected the nurses' and midwives' knowledge and attitudes toward vaccination (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that the overall vaccination knowledge of participants was high, however, gaps in vaccination knowledge were observed. Individuals who adopted a neutral stance toward vaccination can be prone to changes either toward positive or negative attitudes. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The survey findings suggest implementing educational strategies and targeted interventions in clinical settings to enhance nurses' and midwives' vaccination knowledge and awareness.

Attitudes and Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination Among Nurses and Midwives in Cyprus: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Healthcare workers are at the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic and have been identified as a priority target group for COVID-19 vaccines. This study aimed to determine the COVID-19 vaccination intention among nurses and midwives in Cyprus and reveal the influential factors that affected their decision. An Internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 8 and 28, 2020. Data collection was accomplished using a self-administered questionnaire with questions about socio-demographic characteristics, questions assessing general vaccination-related intentions and behaviors, and the intention to accept COVID-19 vaccination. A sample of 437 responders answered the survey, with 93% being nurses and 7% midwives. A small proportion of the participants would accept a vaccine against COVID-19, while 70% could be qualified as "vaccine hesitant." The main reasons for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine were concerns about the vaccine's expedited development and fear of side effects. More females, individuals with a larger median age, and a higher number of years of working experience, intended to accept the COVID-19 vaccination, compared with those not intended to accept and undecided groups (p < 0.01). Having a seasonal flu vaccination in the last 5 years, receiving the vaccines recommended for health professionals, and working in the private sector were associated with a higher probability of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance. A considerable rate of nurses and midwives in Cyprus reported unwillingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine due to vaccine-related concerns. Our findings highlight the need for forthcoming vaccination campaigns and programs to tackle coronavirus vaccine hesitancy barriers to achieve the desirable vaccination coverage.