Awareness towards COVID-19 prevention and factors related to the willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine among people living with HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACT

Objective: To understand the awareness level towards coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) prevention and the willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine among people living with HIV/AIDS, and to discuss the related factors. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among people living with HIV/AIDS who visited the HIV clinic in the PLA General Hospital from June to December 2021.A general descriptive analysis, univariate and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze data. Results: A total of 169 questionnaires were analyzed. Among them, 93.5%(158/169) would like to know more about COVID-19 related knowledge, 88.2%(149/169) were reminded to inject vaccine, 98.8%(167/169) would be far away from medium and high risk areas, 97.0%(164/169) would persuade others to follow the disease preventive requirements, 14.2%(24/169) thought that the propaganda was exaggerated, 30.8%(52/169) were worried about the safety of the vaccine, 80.5%(136/169) thought that they would feel relieved after the vaccination, and 98.2%(166/169) agreed that vaccination was the most effective way to fight against COVID-19. However, only 60.4%(102/169) were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccine. The major factors affecting vaccination intention were age and feeling safe after vaccination. Conclusions: People living with HIV/AIDS are more cautious about COVID-19 vaccination, therefore the coverage rate is relatively low.It is necessary for health providers to understand the specific situation of people living with HIV, and to enhance the heath education on the safety of COVID-19 vaccine especially among people with HIV/AIDS in order to improve the willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine.