Older Adults' Perceived Risk Regarding COVID-19 and Intention to Vaccinate: Role of Health-Related Literacy

Abstract

The current cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to explore the association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related health literacy, perceived risk, and intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. A sample of 414 older adults completed several questionnaires regarding COVID-19 risk perception, intention to vaccinate, and health literacy. Results revealed that more than one half of older adults demonstrated perceived high risk related to COVID-19 infection. Moreover, 31.6% of older adults noted their unwillingness to get vaccinated, and 39.4% demonstrated low health literacy regarding COVID-19. A significant positive correlation was found among older adults' perceived risk regarding COVID-19 infection, intention toward vaccination against COVID-19, and COVID-19–related health literacy. Findings serve to aid the Ministry of Health in planning proactive steps to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in older adults. [ Research in Gerontological Nursing, 15 (2), 57–67.]

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in a Rural Community of Nigeria

“…An overview cross-sectional study done among African countries and middle East countries to ascertain the acceptances, attitude, and belief relating to vaccines in general and the COVID-19 vaccine revealed that 666.81% of respondent would like to be vaccinated against COVID-19, while 33.19% refuse vaccination. Reasons for vaccine hesitancy includes: concerns regarding vaccine side effects, fear of getting sick from uptake of the vaccine, religious belief, and absence of accurate vaccine promotion news [39][40][41][42][43].…”

Effects of front-of-package caffeine and sweetener disclaimers in Mexico: cross-sectional results from the 2020 International Food Policy Study

“…Similarly, a larger effect of warning labels on the perceived healthfulness ratings of a sugary drink was observed among older adults than younger adults from the UK (34) . It has been stated that older adults have greater health risk perceptions (how individuals subjectively estimate and feel about the risks they face) compared with their younger counterparts (35,36) . Others have suggested that older age is associated with an increased tendency to use nutrition labels because of an increased interest in healthy eating as individuals get older (37) and/or increased efforts to meet specific dietary requirements as the metabolism declines with age (38) .…”

“…Fig. 3 Awareness and use of disclaimer-type labels among Mexican adults and youth they face) compared with their younger counterparts (35,36) . Others have suggested that older age is associated with an increased tendency to use nutrition labels because of an increased interest in healthy eating as individuals get older (37) and/or increased efforts to meet specific dietary requirements as the metabolism declines with age (38) .…”