Assessment of the relationship between COVID-19 risk perception and vaccine acceptance: a cross-sectional study in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: In the absence of definitive treatment, vaccination against COVID-19 emerged as an effective solution to the spread of the pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the factors impacting the rates of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Jordan, in addition to examining the relationship between COVID-19 risk perception and vaccine acceptance among the Jordanian population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of adults (aged ≥18) residing in Jordan. Data were collected using an online questionnaire disseminated using social media platforms between December 2nd and December 29th, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 2,268 (72.3%) participants demonstrated willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The mean COVID-19 risk perception score among the participants was 4.65 out of 10 (median 5; IQR 3-6). Higher risk perception scores were significantly associated with being female (p = .001), young (p < .001), or a smoker (p = .005). A significant positive correlation was identified between COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and risk perception scores (OR = 1.319, 95%, CI = 1.261-1.380, p < .001). Moreover, male participants (75%, OR = 1.220, 95% CI = 1.007-1.479, p = .043), participants aged 18-24 years (78.1%, OR = 1.635, 95% CI = 1.189-2.246, p = .002), and participants with children aged under 18 years (73.9%, OR = 1.210, 95% CI = 1.010-1.450, p = .039) were more willing than their counterparts to get vaccinated. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 risk perception and certain sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., being male, being young, and having children aged under 18 years) were found to be significantly associated with vaccine acceptance. Policymakers are recommended to develop public educational campaigns to enhance people's trust in and willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

Patterns and Predictors of Internet Gaming Disorder: An Observational Study from Jordan.

OBJECTIVE: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is a rapidly growing public health problem that may have detrimental effects. The purpose of this study is to identify factors associated with IGD status. METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study, a convenient sample of gamers in Jordan was recruited and asked to participate in an online survey based on the nine criteria of the 20-item Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD-20) used to assess gaming disorder. Sociodemographic and psychosocial data were also obtained. RESULTS: A total of 504 gamers participated in this study. The mean age of respondents was 21.6 ± 3.90 years. Using the standard IGD-20 scale, 96 participants (19%) were classified as potential IGD cases, compared to 408 (80.9%) non-disordered gamers. Males were dominant among the population, constituting 348 (69%) of gamers. Males also played significantly more hours per week [17.8 ±16.75] compared to females [13 ± 17.65]. The majority of gamers (411 (81.5%)) were students, although unemployed adults played for the highest total time [23.9 ± 30.84 hours/week]. Device type used for gaming also significantly (p <0.05) affected the time spent playing. Predictors of IGD included educational level (p< 0.05) and playing hours/week (p< 005). Conversely, no significant associations were found between IGD and gender, age, employment, or sleeping hours. IGD is increasingly being diagnosed among both genders and presents a health challenge for internet users. CONCLUSION: Establishing gamer profiles and recognizing predictors of IGD is therefore vital for guiding clinical classification and diagnosis of the disease.