Introduction: Given that the success of vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) relies on herd immunity, identifying patients at risk for vaccine hesitancy is imperative—particularly for those at high risk for severe COVID-19 (i.e., minorities and patients with neurological disorders). Methods: Among patients from a large neuroscience institute in Hawaii, vaccine hesitancy was investigated in relation to over 30 sociodemographic variables and medical comorbidities, via a telephone quality improvement survey conducted between 23 January 2021 and 13 February 2021. Results: Vaccine willingness (n = 363) was 81.3%. Univariate analysis identified that the odds of vaccine acceptance reduced for patients who do not regard COVID-19 as a severe illness, are of younger age, have a lower Charlson Comorbidity Index, use illicit drugs, or carry Medicaid insurance. Multivariable logistic regression identified the best predictors of vaccine hesitancy to be: social media use to obtain COVID-19 information, concerns regarding vaccine safety, self-perception of a preexisting medical condition contraindicated with vaccination, not having received the annual influenza vaccine, having some high school education only, being a current smoker, and not having a prior cerebrovascular accident. Unique amongst males, a conservative political view strongly predicted vaccine hesitancy. Specifically for Asians, a higher body mass index, while for Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (NHPI), a positive depression screen, both reduced the odds of vaccine acceptance. Conclusion: Upon identifying the variables associated with vaccine hesitancy amongst patients with neurological disorders, our clinic is now able to efficiently provide ancillary COVID-19 education to sub-populations at risk for vaccine hesitancy. While our results may be limited to the sub-population of patients with neurological disorders, the findings nonetheless provide valuable insight to understanding vaccine hesitancy.
this study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of MS patients during COVID-19 pandemic.
MethodsA telephone-based survey which recruited patients from Kasralainy Multiple Sclerosis Unit database, Cairo University hospitals from March 2020 till July 2020. It included 127 patients and an Arabic questionnaire was conducted which consisted of 14 questions including: Demographic data; MS related data, Data related to COVID-19 and attitude and awareness related to COVID-19.
ResultsNear quarter of the patients were still working in their current jobs, only 12.8% on current leave due to Covid-19 while the majority were non-employed (66.4%).The majority of patients (64%) were compliant to their medications. Treating physician advised to stop DMT in 20.4% while 10.2% of patients stopped due to fear of side effects.Only 16.54% of the patients developed COVID-19 symptoms. The majority (89.2%) avoided visiting any medical institution. Different ways of communication were used by patient when any medical advice was needed. Facebook and WhatsApp applications represented almost half of the tools used to communicate.
ConclusionsPatients with MS report increased awareness of COVID-19 precautions with high rate of DMT compliance.
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