Psycho-Social Drivers of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among University Students

Abstract

Background: Students play a significant role in delivering effective messages for better uptake of health promoting behaviour. Understanding factors that are associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake among students will help develop promising strategies in vaccine promotion of the pandemic. The present investigation was undertaken to look into psycho-social drivers of COVID-19 uptake among Indian students. Method: 587 students, aged 18-35 years participated in an online survey. Standardized measures targeting socio-demographic details, health anxiety, preventive health behaviour and constructs of health belief model were used for the present study. Results: The results showed that overall vaccine uptake among students was quite high with nearly 74% of the students reported being vaccinated against COVID-19. Factors like COVID-19 contact, level of education, belief in safety and efficacy of vaccine, social distancing, age, health worry and preoccupation were emerged as the significant drivers of COVID-19 vaccination behaviour increase the probability of vaccine uptake among students. Moreover, factors like Interference with life, Reassurance Seeking, irrational belief about preventive health measures and perceived barriers about vaccination had significant negative link with vaccination decreasing the likelihood of vaccine uptake. Conclusion: Psychological and socio-demographic factors play vital role in the success of public health strategies of COVID-19 vaccine promotion in managing the pandemic.