COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in People With Migratory Backgrounds: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Turkish- and German-Speaking Citizens in Munich

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and vaccine hesitancy of people with migratory backgrounds among Turkish- and German-speaking patients in Munich regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsPrimary outcomes were the intention to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and COVID-19 knowledge levels (25 true/false items). Other variables included demographics, attitudes to COVID-19 and vaccination (7 items), and behaviors regarding COVID-19 (7 items). The attitude and behavior questions had 5-point Likert scales. Of the 10 Turkish-speaking family physicians in Munich, 6 agreed to administer Turkish or German questionnaires to consecutive patients during February 2021. Participants with either citizenship, country of origin, native language, or place of birth being non-German were categorized as “Having a migratory background.” Data from 420 respondents were analyzed.ResultsWomen constituted 41.4% (n=174), the mean age was 42.2±15.5 years, 245 (58.3%) preferred the Turkish questionnaire, 348 (82.9%) had a migratory background, and 197 (47.9%) intended to be vaccinated. The mean knowledge, attitude, and behavior scores were 21.5±3.2 (max=25), 3.7±0.8 (max=5), and 4.0±0.5 (max=5). While 42.3% (n=145) of the participants with a migratory background considered getting vaccinated, this proportion was 76.5% (n=52) for non-immigrant Germans (Chi-square=26.818, p<0.001). Non-migratory background (Odds Ratio (OR): 3.082), high attitude scores (OR: 2.877), male sex (OR: 2.185), years of schooling (OR: 1.064), and age (OR: 1.022) were positively associated with vaccination intention.ConclusionsWe suggest initiating or supporting projects run by persons or groups from inside the immigrants targeting to elaborate and change their vaccination attitudes.