scholarly journals Sociodemographic Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy, Fear of Infection, and Protection Self-Efficacy

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110407
Author(s):  
Pearl A. McElfish ◽  
Don E. Willis ◽  
Sumit K. Shah ◽  
Keneshia Bryant-Moore ◽  
Martha O. Rojo ◽  
...  

Objectives: Arkansas COVID-19 vaccine uptake has been lower than the national average. This study examined associations between sociodemographic factors and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, fear of infection, and protection self-efficacy. Methods: Adults either residing, having employment, or receiving health care in Arkansas (n = 754) participated in an online survey between October 30, 2020 and January 16, 2021. Participants were recruited in both rural and urban areas from 6 Arkansas primary care clinics. Survey questions addressed sociodemographic factors, COVID-19 infection fear, protection self-efficacy, and COVID-19 vaccine attitudes. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess associations between dependent variables and respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 infection fear, and COVID-19 protection self-efficacy. Results: About 38% of participants reported COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Age, sex, race, and education were significantly associated with COVID-19 and general vaccine attitudes. Odds of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy decreased as age increased (OR = 0.98; P < .01). Women had higher odds of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy than men (OR = 1.52; P < .05). Respondents with a high school diploma and below and respondents with some college or a technical degree had greater odds of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (OR = 2.58; P < .001; and OR = 1.97; P < .01, respectively) compared to respondents with a 4-year college degree. Black/African American respondents had greater odds of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy compared to White respondents (OR = 3.08; P < .001). No significant difference was observed among rural and urban respondents regarding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy; however, respondents in rural areas were more likely to report low general vaccine trust compared to those in urban areas (OR = 1.87; P < .01). Respondents reporting no fear (OR = 5.51; P < .001) and very little fear (OR = 1.95; P < .05) of COVID-19 had greater odds of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy compared to respondents who feared COVID-19 infection to a great extent. Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and general trust in vaccines differ significantly among age, sex, race, and education. These trust and hesitancy patterns are challenges for achieving population immunity and follow similar patterns of vulnerability to COVID-19. Vaccination programs and interventions must consider these differences in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and general vaccine trust to alleviate COVID-19 disparities. Findings make a significant contribution in evaluating vaccine hesitancy among a large, diverse sample from a rural state.

Author(s):  
Nemanja Kutlesic ◽  
Aleksandra Jovanovic

Misuse of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance have become a serious threat to global health. This study aimed to assess knowledge, beliefs and habits of university students regarding antibiotics and compare answers between students coming from rural and urban areas in a location where no similar studies have been conducted to date. Data was gathered using an online survey and tested for statistically significant difference using Chi-squared test. The study followed the Helsinki Declaration principles. A total of 360 students participated. A large number (84.4%) has correctly identified antibiotics as effective against bacteria and have distinguished well between antibiotics and other types of medicines. Only 12.5% believe therapy can be interrupted when the symptoms fade, but 31.4% believe antibiotics help with most diseases. As much as 59.7% have bought antibiotics without a prescription, and 45.8% have admitted to premature treatment interruption. Many take antibiotics on travels for emergencies (62.5%). There was no statistically significant difference related to the domicile of the students (p>0.05). In conclusion, students demonstrated relatively acceptable knowledge and beliefs on antibiotics, which are not reflected in practice. The domicile of students does not influence their knowledge nor habits. Campaigns are needed to promote awareness on antimicrobial resistance as students’ habits are not satisfactory.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 765
Author(s):  
Amel Ahmed Fayed ◽  
Abeer Salem Al Shahrani ◽  
Leenah Tawfiq Almanea ◽  
Nardeen Ibrahim Alsweed ◽  
Layla Mohammed Almarzoug ◽  
...  

This study aimed to assess the willingness to receive the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and seasonal influenza vaccines and vaccine uptake during the early stage of the national vaccination campaign in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among adult Saudis between 20 January and 20 March 2021. The questionnaire addressed vaccine hesitancy, perceived risk, willingness, and vaccine uptake. Approximately 39% of the participants expressed vaccine hesitancy, and 29.8% and 24% felt highly vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, respectively. The majority (59.5%) were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, although only 31.7% were willing to receive the flu vaccine. Adjusted analysis showed that vaccine hesitancy (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.27–0.43) and the perception of being at high risk (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.68–4.60) independently affected the intention to be vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy was similar among those who were willing to be vaccinated (29.8%) and those who had already been vaccinated (33.1%). The perceived risk was significantly higher among those who had been vaccinated (48.1%) than among those who were willing to be vaccinated but had not yet been vaccinated (29.1%). In conclusion, the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia is high. Saudis who received the vaccine had a similar level of vaccine hesitancy and a higher level of perceived risk.


2021 ◽  
pp. 097275312199849
Author(s):  
Raghuram Nagarathna ◽  
M Madhava ◽  
Suchitra S Patil ◽  
Amit Singh ◽  
K. Perumal ◽  
...  

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major noncommunicable disease. While mortality rates are increasing, the costs of managing the disease are also increasing. The all-India average monthly expenditure per person (pppm) is reported to be ₹ 1,098.25, which translates to an annual expenditure of ₹13,179 per person. Purpose: While a number of studies have gone into the aspect of the cost of disease management, we do not find any study which has pan-India reach. We also do not find studies that focus on differences (if any) between rural and urban areas, age or on the basis of gender. We planned to report the cost of illness (COI) in diabetes individuals as compared to others from the data of a pan-India trial. Methods: Government of India commissioned the Indian Yoga Association to study the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in India in 2017. As part of the questionnaire, the cost of treatment was also captured. Data collected from 25 states and union territories were analyzed using the analysis of covriance (ANCOVA) test on SPSS version 21. Results: There was a significant difference ( P < .05) between the average expenses per person per month (pppm) of individuals with self-reported known diabetes (₹1,357.65 pppm) and others (unknown and/or nondiabetes individuals–₹ 999.91 pppm). Similarly, there was a significant difference between rural (₹2,893 pppm) and urban (₹4,162 pppm) participants and between those below (₹1,996 pppm) and above 40 years (₹5,059 pppm) of age. Conclusion: This preliminary report has shown that the COI because of diabetes is significantly higher than others pointing to an urgent need to promote disease-preventive measures.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e048586
Author(s):  
Mohamad-Hani Temsah ◽  
Mazin Barry ◽  
Fadi Aljamaan ◽  
Abdullah Alhuzaimi ◽  
Ayman Al-Eyadhy ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare the perception, confidence, hesitancy and acceptance rate of various COVID-19 vaccine types among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia, a nation with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus experience.DesignNational cross-sectional, pilot-validated questionnaire.SettingOnline, self-administered questionnaire among HCWs.ParticipantsA total of 2007 HCWs working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated; 1512 (75.3%) participants completed the survey and were included in the analysis.InterventionData were collected through an online survey sent to HCWs during 1–15 November 2020. The main outcome measure was HCW acceptance of COVID-19 candidate vaccines. The associated factors of vaccination acceptance were identified through a logistic regression analysis and via measurement of the level of anxiety, using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7 scale.ResultsAmong the 1512 HCWs who were included, 62.4% were women, 70.3% were between 21 and 40 years of age, and the majority (62.2%) were from tertiary hospitals. In addition, 59.5% reported knowing about at least one vaccine; 24.4% of the participants were sure about their willingness to receive the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, and 20.9% were willing to receive the RNA BNT162b2 vaccine. However, 18.3% reported that they would refuse to receive the Ad5-vectored vaccine, and 17.9% would refuse the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine. Factors that influenced the differential readiness of HCWs included their perceptions of the vaccine’s efficiency in preventing the infection (33%), their personal preferences (29%) and the vaccine’s manufacturing country (28.6%).ConclusionsAwareness by HCWs of the several COVID-19 candidate vaccines could improve their perceptions and acceptance of vaccination. Reliable sources on vaccine efficiency could improve vaccine uptake, so healthcare authorities should use reliable information to decrease vaccine hesitancy among frontline healthcare providers.


2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Rodney A. Isiorhovoja

The paper examines the existence, if any, of differences in gross margin between rural and urban areas in Delta State, Nigeria. Data were collected from all 275 poultry farmers registered with the Delta State Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Department. The null hypotheses was that there is no significant difference in poultry farm gross margin between locations in terms rural and urban areas; managers with formal education in agriculture and managers who have no formal education in agriculture; and managers who have and who do not have prior experience in poultry business. Data were collected from all 275 poultry farmers registered with the State Ministry Agriculture using copies of a structured questionnaire and were analyzed using frequency counts, means and T-test. Amongst the findings were: Majority of poultry business operators have low level formal education in disciplines not related to agriculture; there was a significant difference in the mean number of years of schooling and courses studied between rural and urban areas but that there was no significant difference in number of years of prior experience. The T-test results failed to reject the three null hypotheses. The study concluded that indeed elements of opportunity may vary from place to place but the ability to exploit the benefits may moderate or accentuate performance. Entrepreneurial capacity building was recommended for poultry business operators’ state wide.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tulika Sharma ◽  
Paramjeet Singh ◽  
Himanshu Phulwari

The purpose of the present study was to find out the attitudes of primary caregivers towards mental illness. The hypothesis was “there would be a significant difference in the attitude of primary caregivers towards mental illness by people belonging to rural and urban areas.” The sample consists of 50 subjects (25 females and 25 males out of it, 25 were from the rural population &amp; 25 were from the urban population). The age group consists of the participants was from 18 years to 65 years, and their education qualification was not an obligation. Personal data consist of demographic information was also collected. The scale “The Community Attitudes Towards Mental Illness scale (CAMI)” was developed by Taylor and Dear in 1981, was used to assess the attitude towards mental illness of the subjects. For statistical analysis, correlation and student t-test were used for the p-value and to found the differences in the attitudes of primary caregivers. The results showed variances in the primary caregivers’ attitudes between the rural area and the urban area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (46) ◽  
pp. 11368-11375
Author(s):  
Sibananda Mishra ◽  
Bijayalaxmi Muduli

The objective of the present study was to compare the level of anxiety and difference between the rural and urban college students on the basis of dimensions of anxiety. A total number of 120 college students (Rural – 60 and Urban – 60) were selected from two Junior colleges in both rural and urban areas of Odisha State. In the present study, Sinha Anxiety Scale (1991) was used to collect the data. The obtained data was analysed by using ‘t’ test to find out the significant difference between rural and urban college students. Results revealed that in majority dimensions of anxiety, rural college students have more anxiety compared to urban college students


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-69
Author(s):  
Pravat Uprety

This study aims at computing, comparing and decomposing the different inequality indices by rural and urban areas, sex of household head and ecological belt, so that policy maker can make the policy to reduce the inequality in Nepal. This study is based on the raw data taken from the 3rd Nepal Living Standard Survey-2011 conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). The study has used real consumption as the main variable to measure the inequality. In most of the cases five measures of inequality; Coefficient of variation (CV), Quantile Ratio Index, Gini Index, Generalised Entropy Index with parameter 0 and 1 were computed. The Gini index, Theil’s L and Theil’s T indices are 0.328, 0.175 and 0.194, respectively. The study has found no significant difference in inequality between male- and female-headed households; and the inequality in urban areas is higher than that in the rural areas. By ecological belts, the inequality is highest in hills and lowest in mountains. The country should place focus on urban areas and hilly belt to reduce inequality.


10.2196/21863 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e21863
Author(s):  
Karen H Pletta ◽  
Bradley R Kerr ◽  
Jens C Eickhoff ◽  
Gail S Allen ◽  
Sanjeev R Jain ◽  
...  

Background Asthma Action Plans (AAPs) are recommended for pediatric patients to help improve asthma control. Studies have shown variable results for unscheduled doctor and emergency room visits. AAPs may have an impact on parental self-efficacy for asthma management as well as on other daily living factors that are valuable for patients and families, such as the number of missed school days and parental workdays, and on school and caregiver management. Objective The purpose of this study is to understand parent perceptions of AAPs. The goals of this analysis were threefold, including examining (1) the association between pediatric AAPs and parental self-efficacy, (2) parent perceptions of the helpfulness of an AAP for daily living factors, and (3) associations with the type of provider who gave the AAP (a primary care provider or an asthma specialist). Methods A national cross-sectional online survey was completed in October 2018 by parents of children with asthma aged 0-17 years. Survey questions included the presence or absence of a pediatric AAP, the Bursch Parental Self-efficacy for Asthma scale, parental perceptions of the AAP's helpfulness with regard to daily living factors ranked on a 5-point Likert scale, and the provider type who gave the AAP. Survey responses were summarized in terms of percentages or means and standard deviations. A 2-sample t test and analysis of covariance were used to compare self-efficacy for asthma and parental-perception-of-helpfulness scores between subjects with an AAP versus subjects without an AAP. All reported P values were 2-sided. Results A total of 704 parents with a child with asthma completed the survey. The parents had a mean age of 37.5 years (SD 10.9), and 82% (577/704) were women and 18% (127/704) were men. Most (564/704, 80%) parents had an AAP for their child; 65% (367/564) were written, 51% (286/564) were online, and 84% (474/564) were available at school. The Bursch Self-efficacy scale was significantly higher for parents with an AAP (mean 57.7, SD 8.6) versus no AAP (mean 55.1, SD 9.9; P<.001). Parents reported that they agreed/strongly agreed that an AAP was helpful for daily living factors, including managing asthma (446/544, 82%), decreased parental missed workdays (367/544, 68%), decreased child missed-school days (396/542, 73%), and for when a child is at school (422/541 78%), with other caregivers (434/543, 80%), doing normal activities (421/540 78%), and leading a normal life (437/540 81%). Parents agreed/strongly agreed that an AAP was helpful from all provider types: a pediatric provider (583/704, 82.8%), a family practice provider (556/704, 79%), and an asthma specialist (594/704, 84.4%). There was no significant difference (P=.53) between the type of provider who gave the AAP. Conclusions Parents who had pediatric AAPs for their children reported increased parental self-efficacy compared to those who did not have AAPs. Parents found AAPs helpful for decreasing missed time from work and school, and for asthma management when at home, school, and with other caregivers. Significant AAP helpfulness was seen regardless of the provider who gave the AAP, the parent's education, and income level. Findings support the usefulness of pediatric AAPs for families and the development of easily sharable electronic AAPs for children.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omid V. Ebrahimi ◽  
Miriam S. Johnson ◽  
Sara Ebling ◽  
Ole Myklebust Amundsen ◽  
Øyvind Halsøy ◽  
...  

Background: The pace at which the present pandemic and future public health crises involving viral infections are eradicated heavily depends on the availability and routine implementation of vaccines. This process is further affected by a willingness to vaccinate, embedded in the phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy. The World Health Organization has listed vaccine hesitancy among the greatest threats to global health, calling for research to identify the factors associated with this phenomenon. Methods: The present study seeks to investigate the psychological, contextual, and sociodemographic factors associated with vaccination hesitancy in a large sample of the adult population. 4571 Norwegian adults were recruited through an online survey between January 23 to February 2, 2021. Subgroup analyses and multiple logistic regression was utilized to identify the covariates of vaccine hesitancy. Results: Several subgroups hesitant toward vaccination were identified, including males, rural residents, and parents with children below 18 years of age. No differences were found between natives and non-natives, across education or age groups. Individuals preferring unmonitored media platforms (e.g., information from peers, social media, online forums, and blogs) more frequently reported hesitance towards vaccination than those relying on information obtainment from source-verified platforms. Perceived risk of vaccination, belief in the superiority of natural immunity, fear concerning significant others being infected by the virus, and trust in health officials’ dissemination of vaccine-related information were identified as key variables related to vaccine hesitancy. Conclusions: Given the heterogeneous range of variables associated with vaccine hesitancy, additional strategies to eradicate vaccination fears are called for aside from campaigns targeting the spread of false information. Responding to affective reactions in addition to involving other community leaders besides government and health officials present promising approaches that may aid in combating vaccination hesitation.


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