Determinants of COVID‐19 vaccine uptake among healthcare professionals and the general population in Cyprus: A web‐based cross‐sectional survey

Abstract

Objective This study aims to examine the factors influencing COVID‐19 vaccine uptake among healthcare professionals (HCPs) and the general population in Cyprus. Methods A web‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted (November 2021–January 2022), using a self‐administered, anonymous questionnaire to collect information covering a wide range of potential determinants including sociodemographic and health‐related characteristics, trust in the healthcare system, satisfaction with it, utilization of preventive healthcare services, COVID‐19 vaccination information and general vaccination knowledge. Results A total of 2582 participants completed the survey. Overall, 53.5% of participants representing the general population, and 70.0% of the HCPs received the COVID‐19 vaccination. We found that as the age increases by 1 year among the general population, the odds of being vaccinated against COVID‐19 increase by 1.02 units (95% 1.00, 1.03, p = 0.035). In addition, participants among the general population with increased trust in national healthcare authorities' guidelines (OR = 3.96, 95% CI: 3.41, 4.61), and increased vaccination knowledge scores (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.18) were significantly more likely to be vaccinated, while those who had underage children living in the household were significantly less likely to be vaccinated against COVID‐19 (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.91). Furthermore, male HCPs (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.59), and those who reported increased trust in national healthcare authorities' guidelines (OR = 5.38, 95% CI: 3.65, 7.95) were significantly more likely to be vaccinated. Conclusion Public health policymakers can use national campaigns and long‐term planning to build public trust in national healthcare authorities and raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination. Such strategies could pave the way for adequate vaccine uptake and prepare the public for unfavourable scenarios, such as future pandemics.

Assessment of COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among healthcare workers in selected health facilities of the Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study conducted in 2021

“…This figure is consistent with a study conducted in Cyprus, where the vaccination rate was reported at 70.5%. 33 However, it exceeds the rates found in Ethiopian studies 31 at 62.1%, while falling below rates observed in Egypt 34 at 90%, the USA 35 at 81% and Greece 36 at 77.3%. The observed variation in vaccination rates across these regions may be attributed to several factors, including differences in awareness campaigns, cultural beliefs, healthcare infrastructure, vaccine availability and governmental policies promoting vaccination.…”

The Role of Conspiracy Theories, Perceived Risk, and Trust in Science on COVID-19 Vaccination Decisiveness: Evidence from Cyprus

“…Similarly, the current research did not explore sociodemographic and psychological determinants which also influence vaccine decisiveness. A study with a large sample of participants, which was conducted a few months after our data collection (November 2021 and January 2022), showed the interplay of sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychological factors influencing vaccine hesitancy in the general population and healthcare professionals in Cyprus [88] (see also [89]). The determinants found to influence higher vaccination rates in the general population included age (with older individuals being more likely to be vaccinated), higher trust in national healthcare authorities' guidelines, and increased vaccination knowledge scores.…”

Conspiracy Theories, Trust in Science, and Knowledge during the Third Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Cyprus

“…This knowledge will help individuals protect themselves from the virus and minimize the possibility of individuals' endorsement of conspiracy theories. For instance, a number of studies examining vaccine-related knowledge found that the better the understanding of vaccination, the more likely people are to choose to be vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus [52][53][54][55][56][57].…”