Modelling COVID-19 vaccination status and adherence to public health and social measures, Eastern Mediterranean Region and Algeria Modélisation du statut de vaccination contre la COVID-19 et de l'adhésion aux mesures sociales et de santé publique, Région de la Méditerranée orientale et Algérie Modelización del estado de vacunación contra la COVID-19 y del cumplimiento de las medidas sociales y de salud pública, Región del Mediterráneo Oriental y Argelia وضع نماذج لحالة التطعيم ضد كوفيد 19 والالتزام بالصحة العامة والتدابير الاجتماعية، منطقة شرق البحر المتوسط والجزائر 东地中海地区和阿尔及利亚 COVID-19 疫苗接种状况和公共卫生和社会措施合规性建模 Составление модели статуса вакцинации против COVID-19 и соблюдения мер общественного здравоохранения и социальных мер в странах Восточного Средиземноморья и Алжире

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the link between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination status and adherence to public health and social measures in Members of the Eastern Mediterranean Region and Algeria. Methods We analysed two rounds of a large, cross-country, repeated cross-sectional mobile phone survey in June–July 2021 and October–November 2021. The rounds included 14 287 and 14 131 respondents, respectively, from 23 countries and territories. Questions covered knowledge, attitudes and practices around COVID-19, and demographic, employment, health and vaccination status. We used logit modelling to analyse the link between self-reported vaccination status and individuals' practice of mask wearing, physical distancing and handwashing. We used propensity score matching as a robustness check. Findings Overall, vaccinated respondents (8766 respondents in round 2) were significantly more likely to adhere to preventive measures than those who were unvaccinated (5297 respondents in round 2). Odds ratios were 1.5 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.3–1.8) for mask wearing;1.5 (95% CI 1.3–1.7) for physical distancing;and 1.2 (95% CI 1.0–1.4) for handwashing. Similar results were found on analysing subsamples of low- and middle-income countries. However, in high-income countries, where vaccination coverage is high, there was no significant link between vaccination and preventive practices. The association between vaccination status and adherence to public health advice was sustained over time, even though self-reported vaccination coverage tripled over 5 months (19.4% to 62.3%;weighted percentages). Conclusion Individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 maintained their adherence to preventive health measures. Nevertheless, reinforcement of public health messages is important for the public's continued compliance with preventive measures.