Abstract:RESULTS: Most students (84%) mentioned the intention to take anti-COVID vaccine and 14% were hesitant. Information provided by governments (59.2%), the pharmaceutical industry (54.4%), and the press (51.6%) were the items that most generated vaccine hesitation.
CONCLUSION:In the context of the COVID-19, vaccine hesitation is an additional concern because adherence to vaccination is a recurring challenge. The category of contextual influences predominated among the main determinants of anti-COVID vaccine hesita… Show more
“…Social media was the most commonly reported resource in our study to obtain information about the vaccine, which is in line with the common preference of current youth to use social media. To keep up, government and health-based agencies have also turned to social media to spread updates about the disease and provide further information; however, in some countries, people are less likely to trust the government which can be observed from a study conducted in Brazil showed that information provided by governments, the pharmaceutical industry, and the press were the items that caused most vaccine hesitancy [26].…”
<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> While vaccines may be a key measure in overcoming the pandemic, their hesitancy among the population may impede the ongoing efforts of governments and health authorities in a country. Universities are considered the hubs of the transition of individuals to young adults, understanding the hesitancy of this population stratum and addressing apprehensions that may exist is of utmost importance. This study aims to explore the attitude and hesitancy of students in UAE universities toward the COVID-19 vaccines along with comparing two particular demographics to see if there exists a difference in outcomes-medical and nonmedical students. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A web-based self-administered questionnaire was sent following Ethics Committee approval, to students at various universities in the UAE containing questions regarding general demographic data, COVID-19 related anamnestic characteristics as well as questions on motivational factors and refusal factors regarding the vaccine. Using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 28, descriptive analyses were performed for the demographic variables and inferential statistics were carried out using Pearson’s Chi-squared (χ<sup>2</sup>) test. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 385 participants consented to the survey, with a majority of female respondents (76.6%). In our demographics which included respondents of an average age of 21 years, 91.4% were expatriates, and 48.1% were based in Dubai. Approximately 67% of those surveyed had been vaccinated, with Sinopharm being the most commonly taken vaccine (70.4%). “Concerns over side effects” seems to be the most common reason for vaccine refusal (58.7%) among all demographics whether vaccinated or not. Our sample included a majority of students with a medical and health sciences background (58.7%), who disagreed more often with the belief that they were completely protected by receiving the COVID-19 vaccine as compared to the nonmedical students. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> COVID-19 vaccination rates among university students in UAE are lower than the national average, demonstrating the importance of integrating a specific awareness program for this group. Preparing medical students for the future is a beneficial long-term strategy, and hence, further research regarding vaccine hesitancy must be done focusing primarily on them to ensure their future patients receive the best vaccine-related recommendations.
“…Social media was the most commonly reported resource in our study to obtain information about the vaccine, which is in line with the common preference of current youth to use social media. To keep up, government and health-based agencies have also turned to social media to spread updates about the disease and provide further information; however, in some countries, people are less likely to trust the government which can be observed from a study conducted in Brazil showed that information provided by governments, the pharmaceutical industry, and the press were the items that caused most vaccine hesitancy [26].…”
<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> While vaccines may be a key measure in overcoming the pandemic, their hesitancy among the population may impede the ongoing efforts of governments and health authorities in a country. Universities are considered the hubs of the transition of individuals to young adults, understanding the hesitancy of this population stratum and addressing apprehensions that may exist is of utmost importance. This study aims to explore the attitude and hesitancy of students in UAE universities toward the COVID-19 vaccines along with comparing two particular demographics to see if there exists a difference in outcomes-medical and nonmedical students. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A web-based self-administered questionnaire was sent following Ethics Committee approval, to students at various universities in the UAE containing questions regarding general demographic data, COVID-19 related anamnestic characteristics as well as questions on motivational factors and refusal factors regarding the vaccine. Using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 28, descriptive analyses were performed for the demographic variables and inferential statistics were carried out using Pearson’s Chi-squared (χ<sup>2</sup>) test. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 385 participants consented to the survey, with a majority of female respondents (76.6%). In our demographics which included respondents of an average age of 21 years, 91.4% were expatriates, and 48.1% were based in Dubai. Approximately 67% of those surveyed had been vaccinated, with Sinopharm being the most commonly taken vaccine (70.4%). “Concerns over side effects” seems to be the most common reason for vaccine refusal (58.7%) among all demographics whether vaccinated or not. Our sample included a majority of students with a medical and health sciences background (58.7%), who disagreed more often with the belief that they were completely protected by receiving the COVID-19 vaccine as compared to the nonmedical students. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> COVID-19 vaccination rates among university students in UAE are lower than the national average, demonstrating the importance of integrating a specific awareness program for this group. Preparing medical students for the future is a beneficial long-term strategy, and hence, further research regarding vaccine hesitancy must be done focusing primarily on them to ensure their future patients receive the best vaccine-related recommendations.
“…The percentage of VH among medical students in the studies reviewed ranged from 5.4% to 86.7% (see Table 1 ). Most studies reported VH/VA among medical students, with a small number [ 26 , 27 , 54 , 56 , 67 ] reporting absolute VR rates which ranged from 2% to 17.3%. Saied et al (2021) reported the highest refusal rate with 17.3% of their medical student cohort refusing COVID-19 vaccination [ 56 ].…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Higher rates of VH were observed in African and Middle Eastern countries, with medical students reporting higher rates of belief in conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines [ 34 , 48 , 50 , 63 ]. There was also greater mistrust in government and public health experts’ COVID-19 vaccine information and a higher level of trust placed in the opinions of family members, relatives, and social media when making vaccination decisions within VH populations [ 27 , 36 , 37 , 43 , 64 , 65 ]. It has been demonstrated this mistrust, which has been demonstrated in all HCWs and not just medical students, stems in part from perceived dishonesty of pharmaceutical companies and Government institutions involved in the production, distribution, and/or promotion of vaccines and vaccination protocols [ 12 ].…”
Medical students are likely to be exposed to COVID‐19 patients so achieving high vaccination coverage rates for this group of healthcare workers is important, as is their potential as vaccination role models. The aim of this scoping review was to evaluate the current literature to determine the rates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptance, and associated factors, amongst medical students. Systematic searches of the Medline Ovid, Embase, PubMed, and Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC) online databases was conducted for relevant articles with keywords: ‘COVID-19’, ‘vaccine hesitancy & acceptance’ and ‘medical students’. Articles were included for review if they reported the rates of vaccine hesitancy and acceptance, and associated factors, amongst medical students. Of the 258 articles identified, 52 met the inclusion criteria and underwent full-text review. Rates of vaccine hesitancy ranged from 5.4−86.7%, with generally positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination. The main factors associated with vaccine hesitancy were concerns about the safety and efficacy of vaccines due to their accelerated development, being a pre-clinical medical student, and low perceived personal risk of COVID-19 infection. Inconsistencies were found for the influence of gender on attitudes towards vaccinations. Previous vaccination behaviours were predictive of willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Knowledge about COVID-19 vaccinations and their importance was found to be deficient amongst vaccine hesitant medical students. Generally, medical students express low levels of vaccine hesitancy. However, due to the variability in the factors associated with vaccine hesitancy across different populations and the dynamic and contextual nature of hesitancy, it is recommended that vaccination intent and associated attitudes are monitored on a longitudinal basis. It is important to map vaccine hesitancy at a local level to allow medical schools to develop strategies to encourage vaccination specific to their school’s needs.
“…Regarding political factors, studies conducted in Brazil and Venezuela mentioned opposition to the vaccine of their respective presidents Jair Bolsonaro and Nicolás Maduro 42 , 43 , 47 , 48 , 49 . Maduro questioned the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine, even refusing to buy it, and because his government was not recognized by many nations 42 , 43 .…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Maduro questioned the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine, even refusing to buy it, and because his government was not recognized by many nations 42 , 43 . In Brazil, part of supporters of then President Jair Bolsonaro rejected the COVID-19 vaccine, based on Bolsonaro’s speech in relation to the vaccine as an individual choice and the criticism to the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine, produced by a Chinese pharmaceutical company 47 , 48 , 49 . The negative perception of coping with COVID-19 and the political opposition to the Federal Government were associated with the intention to be vaccinated 49 , in addition to the political context of delay in the acquisition and availability of COVID-19 vaccines and political disputes between federal and state governments 47 , 49 .…”
Vaccination has played an important role in the containment of COVID-19 pandemic advances. However, SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy has caused a global concern. This scoping review aims to map the scientific literature on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Latin America and Africa from a Global Health perspective, observing the particularities of the Global South and using parameters validated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The review reporting observes the recommendations of the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) model. Search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases, selecting studies published from January 1, 2020 to January 22, 2022. Selected studies indicate that COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy involves factors such as political scenario, spread of misinformation, regional differences in each territory regarding Internet access, lack of access to information, history of vaccination resistance, lack of information about the disease and the vaccine, concern about adverse events, and vaccine efficacy and safety. Regarding the use of conceptual and methodology references from the WHO for vaccine hesitancy, few studies (6/94) use research instruments based on these references. Then, the replication in Global South of conceptual and methodological parameters developed by experts from the Global North contexts has been criticized from the perspective of Global Health because of it may not consider political and sociocultural particularities, the different nuances of vaccine hesitancy, and issues of access to vaccines.
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