Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination and its determinants among Lebanese dentists: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Dentists are at high risk of exposure to occupational Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since vaccination is crucial to control COVID-19 pandemic, we aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and its determinants among Lebanese practicing dentists. Methods A cross-sectional online study was conducted between February 15 and 22, 2021, among dentists practicing in Lebanon. Prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was estimated. A multivariable modified Poisson regression model was used to explore determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Results In total, 86% of participants were willing to receive or have already received a COVID-19 vaccine. Having received the influenza vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic was linked to a 12% increase in the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance rate. In addition, participants having moderate and high COVID-19 vaccination knowledge levels were more likely to accept receiving the vaccine, and participants whose fear of COVID-19 level was high were more likely to accept receiving the vaccine compared to those having a low fear level. Contrarily, those who visit the medical doctor only when needed and once a year were less likely to accept COVID-19 vaccine compared to participants who routinely visit the medical doctor. Conclusions Our study showed a high level of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among Lebanese practicing dentists. And since knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination was associated with the vaccine acceptance, it should be improved and updated to further increase the acceptance rate. High acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination among dentists is expected to have a positive impact among the population in terms of increasing awareness and vaccine uptake.

Reported Adverse Effects and Attitudes among Arab Populations Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Large-Scale Multinational Study Implementing Machine Learning Tools in Predicting Post-Vaccination Adverse Effects Based on Predisposing Factors

“…This rapidly achieved process was surrounded by many rumors and conspiracy theories, which consequently resulted in high rates of vaccine hesitancy. There are many reports, from almost all Arab countries, confirming that the fear of serious post-vaccination side effects and complications is the main reason behind the high rates of vaccine hesitancy [ 18 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. In this study, a high rate of vaccine hesitancy (51%) was reported among the participants before receiving a vaccine.…”

“…The low public acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines is most probably associated with rumors and conspiracy theories [ 20 ]. Reports from several Arab countries have shown that fear of serious post-vaccination side effects and misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines are the biggest obstacles facing mass vaccination campaigns [ 18 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Hence, this could result in delaying vaccination and waning immunity against SARS-CoV-2 over time, after initial infection or vaccination [ 35 ], and subsequently, it may prolong the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region.…”

Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures among Dental Care Workers in Vietnam: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

“…In an Italian study, 18% of dentists opposed vaccination [ 40 ]. In an online survey in February among 529 dentists in Lebanon, 86% reported that they were willing to receive or already received a COVID-19 vaccine [ 41 ]. Only about 21% of Egyptian HCWs accepted to be COVID-19 vaccinated [ 42 ]; in a survey in the United States, only 64.6% of medical professionals accepted the COVID-19 vaccine [ 43 ].…”

COVID-19 Vaccination among Czech Dentists

“…At the same time, these studies usually included smaller numbers of participants compared to ours. Nasr et al conducted an online survey involving 529 Lebanese dentists between 15 and 22 February 2021 [ 11 ]. A total of 86% of participants were willing to receive or have already received a COVID-19 vaccine.…”

“…Although dentists are one of the most vulnerable occupational groups, information about COVID-19 vaccination among them is scarce. There is only a very limited amount of works on this topic, and in the vast majority, it only concerns the willingness, hesitancy, or acceptance of dentists to get vaccinated [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide data on real COVID-19 vaccination among dental professionals.…”