The COVID-19 vaccination acceptance/hesitancy rate and its determinants among healthcare workers of 91 Countries: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Picture analysis of billboards and infographic graphics advertising COVID-19 on promoting preventive behaviors and taking vaccination against the Coronavirus disease pandemic

Today, advertising science is a tool that helps advertisers to design their advertising to meet the needs of the audience. In this regard, knowing and understanding the audience is one of the most important points that advertisers should pay attention to before advertising in order to better attract the audience. This study has been done with the aim of billboards and infographics analysis related to promoting preventive behaviors and vaccination against the Coronavirus disease pandemic and investigating the opinion of the general adult population of Iran. The method used in this research is the qualitative method. In this research, according to the type of data and research goals, Kress and Van Leeuwen's discourse theory method has been used. The sample size includes 36 advertising billboards and infographics. Data collection has been done through searching the sites and websites of health networks and medical education centers in Iran, taking pictures of infographics and billboards in public places, and also receiving archive files of pictures from the public relations of health networks and medical services. The data was collected from February 19, 2020 to December 30, 2022 (the time frame of the pandemic and public vaccination program in Iran). Then, an online survey about promoting preventive behaviors and taking vaccination against the Coronavirus disease pandemic was designed in SurveyMonkey and its link was provided to the audience through virtual networks and other platforms. The assessment of validity involved experts in infection control and linguistics. The reliability of the measurement, determined through the Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient, yielded a coefficient of 0.968. In this study, data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics software, version 15.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Finally, users' opinions about of billboards and infographics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of component analysis and surveys show that visual components such as «The staring look at the spectator (Demand)», «Head-on Shot (inclusion)», «Down Shot (Creating a sense of participation for the represented person)», «Close-up (intimate/individual relationship)», «Level Shot (equality)» and «High-Angle Shot (Presenting power)» in medical advertising has had a great impact in arousing public opinion to create a positive attitude towards preventive measures and vaccination during the Coronavirus disease epidemic. The results of this research show that in visual communication, visual components play a significant role in creating and maintaining target ideologies. Also, advertising in the field of preventive measures in medical sciences requires certain rules that determine people's culture and the main foundation of their attitude and thinking. Therefore, it is necessary to know such knowledge and learn it by the medical staff to deal with critical situations.

Text analysis of billboards and infographic graphics advertising COVID-19 on promoting preventive behaviors and taking vaccination against the coronavirus pandemic and investigating the opinions of the Iranian adult population

BACKGROUND

Advertising is one of the most important solutions that health centers and medical services around the world use to try to encourage public opinion to create a positive attitude towards preventive measures and vaccination. This study has been done with the aim of text analysis of billboards and infographics related to promoting preventive behaviors and vaccination against the coronavirus pandemic and providing solutions and models for preventive information and advertising in the field of health.

METHODS

The study method in this research is a combination of qualitative and content analysis. Data collection was done in a targeted manner. The sample size includes 33 advertising billboards and infographics. Data collection has been done through searching the sites and websites of health networks and medical education centers in Iran, taking pictures of infographics and billboards in public places, and also receiving archive files of pictures from the public relations of health networks and medical services. The data was collected from February 19, 2020 to December 30, 2022 (the time frame of the pandemic and public vaccination program in Iran). The data was analyzed based on the three-dimensional discourse analysis theory of Fairclough. Then, an online survey about promoting preventive behaviors and vaccination against the coronavirus pandemic in the format of billboards and infographics was designed in SurveyMonkey and its link was provided to the audience through virtual networks and other platforms. The age group of people was selected from 18 to 70 years. Considering that the number of participants should be representative of the entire community under investigation, therefore, based on Cochran's formula, the sample size was equal to 350 people. Finally, users' opinions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The assessment of validity involved experts in infection control and linguistics. The reliability of the measurement, determined through the Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient, yielded a coefficient of 0.968.

RESULTS

The results show that among the four linguistic components of words, syntax, coherence and text structure; "live metaphors", "pronoun "we", "collocation and reference", and "attitude markers" have the most impact on the audience. The frequency percentage of the data shows that these language elements have tremendous power in attracting the audience to perform preventive behaviors. The results show that the language reflects the culture, opinions and needs of people in the society. Also, the results show that encouraging people to perform preventive behaviors should be through the integration of medical information with motivational linguistic factors in order to attract the audience more.

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that the use of the appropriate pattern of medical advertising discourse and correct communication strategies, will help public participation in the field of epidemic control. The language of effective health education and health communication during an epidemic must be related to the ways of thinking and speaking of ordinary people. Also, words with metaphorical and ironic meanings have a high potential to influence the health performance of people in society and increase public awareness of health communication. Therefore, using them to create a new value system with the aim of controlling and overcoming the consequences of the epidemic is very effective.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Indian context: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Vaccination against COVID-19 is vital for achieving herd immunity, and the Government of India has adopted several strategies to achieve coverage. Vaccine hesitancy was identified as a potential obstacle in combating COVID-19. This study aimed to review the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy, and factors associated with vaccine hesitancy based on studies conducted in Indian populations. The data sources (PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were searched by following PRISMA guidelines, and the search was done in September 2022. We performed a meta-analysis through a random effect model to estimate pooled hesitancy rate with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 3,339 records were searched, of which 46 studies were found to be eligible for inclusion in the review. The included studies covered 65,551 respondents, 55% were female. Studies reported COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate of 65.7% in January-February 2021, which increased to 92.8% in May-August 2021. Likewise, the rate of vaccine hesitancy in December 2020 was 37%, dropping to 12.1% through November 2021. The estimated pooled COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was 31% [95% CI: 27% - 36%, I2 = 99.3%]. Most studies highlighted that fear of the vaccine's side effects, efficacy, and safety were major barriers to vaccine acceptance. However, as the review indicates, it is important to consider and address all factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy.

Peri-Pandemic Acceptance of Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination by Swiss Healthcare Workers in Primary Care 2020/21: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: To assess and compare influenza and COVID-19 vaccination uptake of Swiss healthcare workers (HCWs) in primary care 2020/21. Methods: Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination uptake and recommendation behaviours of HCWs in the primary care were assessed using an online semi-structured questionnaire. Associations between vaccination rates and age, language, gender, profession, vaccination history, vaccination training and recommendation behaviours were evaluated using descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: Vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2020/21 were 91.8% of the 1,237 participating HCWs, while 60.1% were vaccinated against influenza. Physicians and pharmacists presented the highest influenza vaccination rates (87.3%, 73.7%, respectively) compared to nurses (45.8%) and medical practice assistants (52.5%) while COVID-19 vaccination rates were high across all professions. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination rates were significantly associated with age, profession, vaccination history, vaccination training and recommendation behaviours. Conclusion: Acceptance for influenza vaccination has increased during the pandemic but is lower than that for COVID-19 among the HCWs. Demographics, vaccination status and vaccination training impact the vaccination behaviour among HCWs and should be considered in future campaigns to increase vaccination uptake.

Predictors of receiving COVID-19 vaccine among adult population in Iran: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Vaccination is one of the best ways to stop the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this regard, uunderstanding the features related to the intention of different populations to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is essential for an effective vaccination program. This study aimed to investigate the vaccination intention predictors in the general adult population of Iran.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted on social networks, including Telegram, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to investigate predictors associated with the intention to receive COVID-19 vaccines, including sociodemographic characteristics, trust, worry, sources of information, and conspiracy beliefs. The main outcomes included unwillingness, undecidedness, and intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

RESULTS

Out of 780 respondents, 481 (61.6%) reported an intention to be vaccinated, 214 (27.4%) expressed their undecided status, and 85 (10.9%) reported unwillingness to receive any type of COVID-19 vaccine. A higher age (OR undecided = 0.97, 95% CI (0.96-0.99)), (OR unwilling = 0.97, 95% CI (0.95-0.99)); exposure with COVID-19 (OR unwilling = 0.82, 95% CI (0.76-0.89)), (OR undecided = 0.87, 95% CI (0.83-0.93)) were positively associated with vaccination intentions. No/low trust in vaccines, institutions, concerns about the future of the pandemic, and conspiracy beliefs were strongly and negatively associated with COVID-19 vaccination intentions.

CONCLUSION

Most Iranians intended to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Higher vaccine acceptance needs to consider demographic features, exposure history, confidence in vaccines, trust in institutions, concerns, and conspiracy beliefs of people.

The parental COVID-19 anxiety and emotional exhaustion in healthcare workers: exploring the roles of resilience, prosocialness, and optimism

Healthcare workers (HCWs) also became the main protagonist of the tragic pandemic story. They have had a markedly higher risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. Outside work, healthcare workers with children have experienced mental health challenges, including the worry that they may carry COVID-19 home and infect their children. Based on these, the current study aimed to examine the effect of parental COVID-19 anxiety on emotional exhaustion and identify the roles of resilience, prosocialness, and optimism in this relationship. The findings demonstrated that prosocialness moderated the relationship between personal COVID-19 anxiety and emotional exhaustion by alleviating the depleting effects of personal COVID-19 anxiety. At the same time, prosocialness reinforced the negative effect of resilience on emotional exhaustion. On the other side, optimism moderated the relationship between parental COVID-19 anxiety and resilience by alleviating the adverse effect of parental COVID-19 anxiety. Moreover, it buffered the exacerbating effect of parental anxiety on personal anxiety. In conclusion, promoting personal resources (i.e., resilience, prosocialness, and optimism) seems an excellent way to mitigate the adverse consequences of the pandemic on mental health. Furthermore, the increment in parental mental health problems during COVID-19 pandemic may have long-term effects on children. Considering this perspective, we need to develop a proactive approach for parents' now and children's futures.

Factors associated with reluctancy to acquire COVID-19 vaccination: A cross-sectional study in Shiraz, Iran, 2022

BACKGROUND

Vaccination is a crucial action that can end the COVID-19 pandemic and reduce its detrimental effect on public health. Despite the availability of various vaccines, this study was conducted to better understand the factors behind individuals refusing to get vaccinated.

METHOD

The current cross-sectional study was conducted with individuals above 18 years of age in Shiraz, Iran, who were eligible but refused to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Demographic features and factors related to their hesitancy and willingness to participate in the vaccination program were recorded in a questionnaire.

RESULT

Out of 801 participants in the current study, 427 (53.3%) were men, with a mean age of 37.92 years (± 14.16). The findings revealed that 350 (43.7%) participants claimed the side effects of the vaccine outweigh the benefits as one reason for their reluctance toward COVID-19 vaccination, followed by the unknown efficacy of vaccines (40.4%) and a lack of trust in vaccine companies (32.8%). Ensuring the safety of the vaccine (43.7%) and verifying its effectiveness (34.5%) were the most prevalent factors behind participating in the vaccination program. Those who reported their socio-economic status as low were significantly reluctant toward vaccination because of a self-presumption of high immunity (p-value < 0.001), the unclear efficacy of vaccines (p-value < 0.001), the side effects outweighing the benefits of vaccines (p-value < 0.001), distrust of vaccine companies (p-value < 0.001), usage of mask, gloves, and sanitizers (p-value < 0.001), contradictory speech of health authorities regarding vaccines (p-value = 0.041), and the unavailability of trusted vaccines (p-value = 0.002). It should also be noted that participants reported a greater likelihood to obtain information about vaccination reluctance from family and friends (p-value <0.001) and complementary medicine professionals (p-value <0.001).

CONCLUSION

Avoiding vaccination is an undeniable public and individual health concern in Iran, as demonstrated in the current study. Concern about vaccine efficacy and side effects is the most reported cause of vaccination reluctance among individuals, which could be altered by emphasizing mass education and averting an infodemic by forming dedicated multidisciplinary organizations.

Medical Residents' Behaviours toward Compulsory COVID-19 Vaccination in a Tertiary Hospital in Italy

To maintain safety conditions in the provision of care and assistance, and to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients, the Italian government required compulsory COVID-19 vaccination for HCWs, including medical residents (MRs). The aim of this study was to assess COVID-19 vaccination coverage in MRs in a large tertiary hospital in Italy, before and after the introduction of compulsory vaccination, according to demographic characteristics and specific residency. A database on COVID-19 vaccination status and infection of resident medical doctors was created. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were carried out on the data. A total of 1894 MRs were included in the study. Being vaccinated in the same hospital as the residency program was significantly related to the year of residency and being enrolled in a frontline residency. A significant association between compliance with the compulsory primary cycle vaccination and vaccination in the hospital residency was observed. Being enrolled in the second, third, and last years of residency, and in a frontline residency, were predictive of being vaccinated in the residency hospital. Almost 100% of the MRs participating in the study were vaccinated against COVID-19. Compulsory vaccination of HCWs, alongside greater and clearer information about the risks and benefits of vaccination, represents an important booster to ensure public health and to promote quality and safety of care.

Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination Intention among Health Care Workers in France: A Qualitative Study

COVID-19 vaccines are one of the best tools to limit the spread of the virus. However, vaccine hesitancy is increasing worldwide, and France is one of the most hesitant countries. From the beginning of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, health care workers (HCW) have been prioritized in the vaccination strategy but were also hesitant. This study was conducted to identify and understand the determinants of COVID-19 vaccination intention in the French context, with a view to promoting HCW vaccination. A qualitative study using individual semi-structured interviews of HCWs was carried out at the beginning of the vaccination campaign (January to April 2021) in a French university hospital. Interviews indicated that the vaccination intention of HCWs was influenced by confidence in the proposed vaccines, past experience with vaccines and disease, the opinions and vaccination status of others, and media handling of information related to COVID-19 vaccination. Improving HCW vaccination intention regarding COVID-19 vaccines could be achieved through the dissemination of clear, reassuring, scientific information. Information should be disseminated by HCWs and vaccination experts and adapted to local contexts. To improve the level of confidence and vaccination uptake through a compliance effect, it would be useful to promote positive COVID-19 vaccination experiences and increased rates of immunization.

Believing processes around COVID-19 vaccination: An exploratory study investigating workers in the health sector

BACKGROUND

The processes underlying believing have been labeled "creditions", which are important brain functions between emotion and cognition. Creditions are influenced by both internal and external factors, one of which is the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the vaccination against the disease.

METHODS

To investigate believing processes shortly before the implementation of a mandatory vaccination in Austria, both vaccinated and unvaccinated workers in the health sector (WHS) were surveyed in December 2021/January 2022. In total, 1,062 vaccinated and 97 unvaccinated WHS (920 females) completed the online survey. Beliefs were assessed using the parameters of the credition model (narrative, certainty, emotion, and mightiness) with regard to (1) the COVID-19 pandemic in general, and (2) the vaccination. Type of emotion and narrative were divided into positive, negative, and indifferent. Moreover, the congruence between emotion and narrative was calculated.

RESULTS

The vaccination rate of the sample was 91.6%, with a significantly higher percentage of men being in the group of vaccinated (21.1%) as compared to unvaccinated individuals (12.4%). Pertaining beliefs about the COVID-19 vaccination, unvaccinated WHS reported more negative and less positive emotions as well as content of narrative than vaccinated WHS. In addition, they showed higher levels of certainty as well as mightiness while believing and felt less sufficiently informed about governmental and workplace-related COVID-19 measures. The groups did not differ in the type of emotion or content of narrative in their beliefs about the pandemic in general.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, unvaccinated WHS had more negative and less positive emotions and thoughts than vaccinated WHS in their beliefs about the COVID-19 vaccination and their motivations for not having received it. They were more certain about their beliefs and felt stronger negative emotions in their beliefs compared to vaccinated individuals. Providing unvaccinated WHS with adequate information might be helpful in reducing their mental burden.