Determinants of Vaccine Acceptance against COVID-19 in China: Perspectives on Knowledge and DrVac-COVID19S Scale.

Chen Dong,Jun Gu,Xiaoming Zhang,Zhifeng Gu,Qian Liang,Tanao Ji,Jian Feng,Rui Zhao,Min Shuai

doi:10.3390/ijerph182111192

Abstract

Background: This study determined the knowledge and attitudes regarding COVID-19 and assessed the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among the Chinese population. Methods: An online and offline cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 18 June 2021 among the Chinese population. Demographic characteristics, attitudes, knowledge, values, impact, and autonomy regarding the COVID-19 vaccine were collected using questionnaire. The variables in our study were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test and chi-square test. Results: A total of 93.8% participants were willing to be vaccinated, 2.7% refused, and 3.5% hesitated. In regards to knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine, 94.3% citizens surveyed knew about the spread of droplets and 65% had knowledge about surfaces touched by an infected person. In addition, 93.8% of participants had knowledge of the common symptoms related to COVID-19, such as fever and cough (93.8%), shortness of breath/anorexia/fatigue/nausea/vomiting/diarrhea (80.2%), and panic and chest tightness (69.4%). Most participants had a strong self-prevention awareness, such as washing hands regularly (92.1%) and wearing a facemask (94.1%). Besides, over ninety percent of respondents would report exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (96.6%) and exposure to symptoms possibility related to COVID-19 (92.9%). If necessary, most respondents would agree to isolate at home (93.5%) or an isolation in hospital (96.3%). Knowledge of COVID-19, including transmission, symptoms, protective measures, and vaccines itself, is associated with vaccination attitude. Values, perceived impacts, knowledge, and autonomy, assessed by the scale of DrVac-COVID19S, have also been revealed as important determinants to vaccine acceptance. Conclusions: Almost 93% of Chinese people surveyed in this study showed a willing attitude toward COVID-19 vaccination. Based on the above results, government and social workers can take measures from these perspectives to improve the vaccination attitude, so as to increase vaccine immunization rates.

Highlights

The ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2019 has become a major global health threat, with more than 208 million cases and nearly 4 million deaths worldwide
COVID-19 is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which leads to series of
Place of residence, marital status, educational level, income, and health status showed a significant association with acceptance

Summary

Introduction

The ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2019 has become a major global health threat, with more than 208 million cases and nearly 4 million deaths worldwide (data from the World Health Organization). This study determined the knowledge and attitudes regarding COVID-19 and assessed the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among the Chinese population. Methods: An online and offline cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 18 June 2021 among the Chinese population. Demographic characteristics, attitudes, knowledge, values, impact, and autonomy regarding the COVID-19 vaccine were collected using questionnaire. Results: A total of 93.8% participants were willing to be vaccinated, 2.7% refused, and 3.5% hesitated. In regards to knowledge about the COVID19 vaccine, 94.3% citizens surveyed knew about the spread of droplets and 65% had knowledge about surfaces touched by an infected person. 93.8% of participants had knowledge of the common symptoms related to COVID-19, such as fever and cough (93.8%), shortness of breath/anorexia/fatigue/nausea/vomiting/diarrhea (80.2%), and panic and chest tightness (69.4%)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion