Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of the General Population towards COVID-19 Vaccinations: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices of the general population towards coronavirus vaccinations in Pakistan.
 Study Design: A cross-sectional study.
 Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Department of Dental Surgery, Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, Pakistan, between March 2021 and June 2021.
 Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 500 individuals who were above 18 years of age. A well-constructed questionnaire consisting of 4 parts (Demographics, Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices) was constructed containing informed consent and distributed online. Spearman correlation test was used to analyse knowledge, attitude, and practices towards coronavirus vaccinations.
 Results: A total of 500 responses were collected from the participants. Most of the participants had adequate knowledge regarding the availability of the vaccines. About 116 (23.2%) participants had contracted the virus. The majority of 308 (61.7%) participants agreed on vaccines to be effective against the virus. Most of the 401 (80.4%) participants were willing to get themselves vaccinated when their turn comes. 265 out of 500 (53.1%) people have been vaccinated against coronavirus. The minority of people assumed a chip inside the vaccine and religious factors as reasons not to get vaccinated. Those residing in urban locations and with increasing age had better knowledge and attitudes towards vaccinations.
 Conclusion: To control and contain the ongoing pandemic, vaccination against the coronavirus is a must. There is still scope in evaluating and improving the general population’s knowledge regarding the vaccination programs especially in the rural areas where resources and socioeconomic status is weaker.