Assessing the Knowledge and Attitude toward COVID-19 Vaccination in Saudi Arabia.

Heba M Zahid,May A Alsayb

doi:10.3390/ijerph18158185

Heba M Zahid, May A Alsayb

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18158185

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Abstract

COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO in March 2020. The most promising strategy to control the pandemic was to develop a vaccine. However, vaccination hesitancy is a major threat to world public health. Understanding the reasons behind this hesitancy might help in developing encouragement strategies. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia. A total of 1599 responses were received; the overall vaccine acceptancy was 79.2%. Age, sex, and nationality of participants significantly predicted the vaccination status. A significantly higher proportion of participants, who reported being vaccinated, or intended to receive the vaccine, stated that the COVID-19 infection is dangerous, or varies from person to person; the vaccine is safe, and think there is a definite need for the vaccine (p < 0.001). The major encouragement factors to receive the vaccine were either confidence in the government decisions (54.8%), or the feeling of responsibility to stop the pandemic (48.7%), whereas the main discouraging factors were concerns about the insufficient clinical trials (11.4%), or the undiscovered side effects (11%). The results of this study indicate good acceptance toward the COVID-19 vaccine among residents of Saudi Arabia.

Highlights

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of the pandemic upper respiratory infection coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Since the spread of this infection in Saudi Arabia, 459,968 positive cases were reported with 7488 deaths [3]
The current study showed that male acceptance toward the COVID-19 vaccine was statistically higher than the female participants (p = 0.019)

Summary

Introduction

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of the pandemic upper respiratory infection coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Due to the SARS-CoV-2’s highly transmissible and complicated pathological outcome, the COVID-19 infection is a major threat globally, [1]. According to the global COVID-19 dashboard by Johns Hopkins university, the total global number of COVID-19 cases to date is 173,766,202, with 3,740,609 deaths worldwide [2]. Since the spread of this infection in Saudi Arabia, 459,968 positive cases were reported with 7488 deaths [3]. The treatment strategies are not well defined due to the conflicting results of the ongoing trials. These data indicate the unpredictable severity of this infection and the need for urgent resolution to stop the pandemic. The availability of vaccines is the most promising strategy for ending the crisis

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