ABSTRACT
Background: With the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and rapid vaccine development, research interest in vaccine hesitancy (VH) has increased. Research usually focuses on quantitative estimates which largely neglected the qualitative underpinnings of this phenomenon. This study aimed to explore the beliefs and views towards COVID-19 vaccination among Arabs in different countries. Furthermore, we explored the effect of confidence in the healthcare system, misinformation, and scientific approaches adopted to mitigate COVID-19 on how individuals are following the recommended preventative actions including vaccination. Methods: This study was based on the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE)-VH Model: A qualitative design that utilized in-depth, online interviews. The study was conducted in seven Arab countries (Egypt, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Libya, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Jordan) from June 2020 to December 2021. Transcripts were analyzed using NVivo 12 Software. Results: A total of 100 participants, 44 males and 56 females, of different age groups (37.1 ± 11.56 years) were interviewed. Findings revealed six themes as enablers and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination. Many participants indicated trusting the vaccines, the healthcare systems, and the vaccination policies were the main driver to get the vaccine. Participants showed concerns towards potential long-term vaccine effects. A consistent inclination towards collective responsibility, which is the willingness to protect others by own vaccination, was also reported. Conclusion: Enablers and barriers of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance in the Arab region, from sociocultural and political perspectives, are critical to guide policymakers in designing target-oriented interventions that can improve vaccine acceptance.
ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the attitude and hesitancy toward vaccine against COVID-19 in a Pakistani Population. Materials and methods: A mix-method, prospective study was conducted and adults (aged ≥18 years) residing in Pakistan were invited to participate. The questionnaire was prepared, hosted in Google Forms and circulated through electronic platforms and was also available to be done in in-person. Data was compiled from 15th September to 30th November 2020. Results: The response rate was 80%. A total of 1003 participants were included in the final analysis. Of them, 75% completed survey questionnaire online, while remaining 25% responded in-person. The mean age of the participants was 29.62 ± 10.47 years. The majority of participants were females; 60.9% (n = 611). 57.02% (n = 572) of the participants were employed at the time of survey. Overall, 70.68% (n = 709) of the participants had previous experience of vaccines such as the flu vaccine Only 4.9% (n = 49) participants thought that they will be seriously ill from COVID-19 within six months and 39% (n = 392) participants were confident that they will get COVID-19. A total of 71.29% of the participants reported they would consider getting vaccinated once available. There was statistical association between gender and getting vaccinated (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that majority of the participants showed positive attitude toward considering COVID-19 vaccine. However awareness with informed knowledge of efficacy, possible adverse effects and cost would be of added great value to increase the real response of Pakistani population toward COVID-19 vaccination.
Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la actitud y la renuencia hacia la vacuna frente a la COVID-19 en una población paquistaní. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo de método mixto, invitándose a participar a personas adultas (edad ≥18 años) residentes en Paquistán. Se preparó el cuestionario, que se alojó en Google Forms y se hizo circular a través de plataformas electrónicas, pudiendo realizarse también de manera personal. Los datos se recopilaron desde el 15 de septiembre al 30 de noviembre de 2020. Resultados: La tasa de respuesta fue del 80%. El análisis final incluyó un total de 1.003 participantes, de los cuales el 75% completó el cuestionario-encuesta online, mientras que el 25% respondió en persona. La edad media de los participantes fue de 29,62 ± 10,47 años. La mayoría de los participantes eran mujeres: el 60,9% (n = 611). El 57,02% (n = 572) de los participantes tenía empleo en el momento de la encuesta. En general, el 70,68% (n = 709) de los participantes tenía experiencia previa sobre vacunas tales como la vacuna frente a la gripe. Solo el 4,9% (n = 49) de los participantes pensaba que padecerían la COVID-19 de forma grave en el plazo de seis meses, y el 39% (n = 392) de los participantes estaba seguro de que se contagiaría de dicha enfermedad. El 71,29% de los participantes reportó que consideraría recibir la vacuna una vez que se dispusiera de la misma. Existió una asociación estadística entre el sexo y el ser vacunado (P< 0,001). Conclusión: Este estudio demostró que la mayoría de los participantes mostró una actitud positiva hacia la consideración de la vacuna frente a la COVID-19. Sin embargo, la concienciación sobre el conocimiento informado de la vacuna, los posibles efectos adversos y el coste supondrían un gran valor añadido al incremento de la respuesta real de la población paquistaní hacia la vacuna frente a la COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Following the emergency approval of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, research into its vaccination hesitancy saw a substantial increase. However, the psychological behaviors associated with this hesitancy are still not completely understood. This study assessed the psychological antecedents associated with COVID-19 vaccination in the Arab population. METHODOLOGY: The validated Arabic version of the 5C questionnaire was distributed online across various social media platforms in Arabic-speaking countries. The questionnaire had three sections, namely, socio-demographics, COVID-19 related infection and vaccination, and the 5C scale of vaccine psychological antecedents of confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility. RESULTS: In total, 4,474 participants with a mean age of 32.48 ± 10.76 from 13 Arab countries made up the final sample, 40.8% of whom were male. Around 26.7% of the participants were found to be confident about the COVID-19 vaccination, 10.7% indicated complacency, 96.5% indicated they had no constraints, 48.8% had a preference for calculation and 40.4% indicated they had collective responsibility. The 5C antecedents varied across the studied countries with the confidence and collective responsibility being the highest in the United Arab Emirates (59.0% and 58.0%, respectively), complacency and constraints in Morocco (21.0% and 7.0%, respectively) and calculation in Sudan (60.0%). The regression analyses revealed that sex, age, educational degrees, being a health care professional, history of COVID-19 infection and having a relative infected or died from COVID-19 significantly predicted the 5C psychological antecedents by different degrees. CONCLUSION: There are wide psychological antecedent variations between Arab countries, and different determinants can have a profound effect on the COVID-19 vaccine's psychological antecedents.