The impact of educational interventions in COVID-19 virus and vaccination attitudes among patients in Michigan

Abstract

Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a recognized impediment to reaching a vaccination rate necessary to protect the whole community during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but solutions and interventions to address this issue are limited by a lack of prior research. Thus, the objectives of this study are: (1) to determine if an educational intervention will increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and result in more vaccination, (2) to assess the effectiveness of educational interventions regarding COVID-19 virus and vaccines, and (3) to assess attitudes and concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus and vaccines among patients in Michigan. Methods: Each patient received an initial survey, including questions regarding demographics and knowledge and opinions regarding the COVID-19 virus and vaccines. Then, each patient was randomly assigned an educational intervention in either a video or infographic format. After the intervention, patients received a post-survey to assess changes in knowledge and attitudes. Three-months later, patients received a follow-up survey to assess long-term changes in their knowledge and attitudes. Paired sample t-test were used to measure efficacy of the educational interventions. t-test and analysis of variance were used to measure changes in patients’ attitudes towards the COVID-19 virus and vaccines after the intervention. Results: Over 230 patients from 18 different Michigan counties were surveyed in this study. Patients’ knowledge increased after the intervention in 6 out of 7 COVID-19 virus and vaccine knowledge (P<0.001, P=0.026, P=0.005, P=0.019, P=0.047, P=0.008). There were significant disparities in COVID-19 vaccine knowledge among different age groups (P=0.05, P=0.045), income groups (P=0.005), and among different political parties (P=0.018). After the intervention, there were statistically significant improvements in the following domains: (1) acceptance of CDC recommendations (P=0.005), (2) trust in the vaccine (P=0.001) and its safety (P=0.019), (3) decreased concern about the mild reactions of the virus (P=0.005), (4) the rapid development of the vaccines (P<0.001), and (5) the vaccine side effects (P=0.031). Conclusion: Both video and educational infographics improved COVID-19 virus and vaccine knowledge among patients. Age, income, and political affiliation showed statistically significant differences in COVID-19 knowledge. Gender, race, and age showed statistically significant differences among attitudes towards the COVID-19 virus and vaccines.