ABSTRACT
The objective of this paper is to evaluate the attitudes of patients with various dermatologic diseases towards coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines. The present questionnaire-based study was conducted on patients admitted to the outpatient clinic of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Ufuk University Hospital, between January 1 and 31, 2021. The study population was divided into two groups based on their ages: (1) < 40 age group (n = 188) and (2) ≥ 40 age group (n = 111), and answers given to 35 specific questions were compared between the groups. The older group had significantly higher levels of anxiety compared to the younger group (p = 0.017). Although approximately 60% of cases in the older group were dedicated to being vaccinated, 40% of the younger participants were not sure about vaccination (p < 0.001). The most frequently demanded vaccine types were the inactivated and mRNA vaccines in the elderly and young groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Statistically significant positive weak correlations were observed for age, chronic disease of medication, and presence of severe COVID 19 cases in the environment (r = 0.125 p = 0.031, r = 0.184 p = 0.001, r = 0.122 p = 0.035, respectively). Dermatologic patients had generally positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination, and their preferences were affected by age.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the perspectives of dermatology specialists and residents on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. METHODS: Present questionnaire-based study was conducted on dermatology residents and specialists between January 5 and 20. A non-validated online questionary evaluating the attitude of the participants about the COVID-19 vaccine was performed. In the first step of the study, data related to the demographic features, all participants' clinical characteristics, and working conditions were recorded. Thereafter answers given to 12 specific questions were recorded. The study population was divided into two groups: dermatology residents (n = 138) and specialists (n = 159). Mentioned variables were compared between the two defined groups. Furthermore, a correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between vaccination acceptance and various study parameters. RESULTS: Majority of the cases had positive attitudes against COVID-19 vaccines. However, there were significant differences between the resident and specialist groups related to the source of information, working conditions, degree of concern, and type of vaccines. Statistically significant negative, weak correlations were observed for age and duration of medical practice (r = -.128, P = .028; r = -.132, P = .041 respectively). Statistically significant positive weak correlations were observed for chronic diseases, level of knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines, number of information sources about COVID-19, and previous COVID-19 infection (r = .133, P = .021; r = .207, P < .001; r = .335, P < .001; r = .176, P = .002 respectively). CONCLUSION: The acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination may be affected by working conditions, medical experience, level of knowledge and the presence of risk factors for severe disease among dermatology residents and specialists.
