Risk factors for covid-19 vaccine hesitancy at a neuroscience center: Quality improvement survey

Abstract

this study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of MS patients during COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsA telephone-based survey which recruited patients from Kasralainy Multiple Sclerosis Unit database, Cairo University hospitals from March 2020 till July 2020. It included 127 patients and an Arabic questionnaire was conducted which consisted of 14 questions including: Demographic data; MS related data, Data related to COVID-19 and attitude and awareness related to COVID-19. ResultsNear quarter of the patients were still working in their current jobs, only 12.8% on current leave due to Covid-19 while the majority were non-employed (66.4%).The majority of patients (64%) were compliant to their medications. Treating physician advised to stop DMT in 20.4% while 10.2% of patients stopped due to fear of side effects.Only 16.54% of the patients developed COVID-19 symptoms. The majority (89.2%) avoided visiting any medical institution. Different ways of communication were used by patient when any medical advice was needed. Facebook and WhatsApp applications represented almost half of the tools used to communicate. ConclusionsPatients with MS report increased awareness of COVID-19 precautions with high rate of DMT compliance.