Targeting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among nurses in Shanghai: A latent profile analysis

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aims to clarify the profiles of the psychological antecedents of vaccine hesitancy among Shanghai nurses with a person-centered approach.MethodsA population-based cross-sectional online survey was conducted on Shanghai nurses from July to August 2021 (N = 1,928). In the online survey, participants were asked to report their sociodemographic, the 5C vaccine hesitancy components, their knowledge level of COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination, and the COVID-19 vaccination uptake intention and attention to vaccine news. Latent profile analysis was used to reveal distinct profiles of vaccine hesitancy.ResultsThe results revealed four profiles, including “believers” (68.9%; high confidence and collective responsibility), “free riders” (12.7%; similar characteristics to believers, except for a low collective responsibility), “middlemen” (14.6%; middle in all 5C constructs), and “contradictors” (3.7%; high in all 5C constructs). Compared to believers, middlemen were younger, more likely to be female, childless, less educated, held lower professional titles, had fewer years of nursing service, sometimes or never complied with recommended vaccinations, had satisfactory or poor self-assessed health status, had no work experience during the COVID-19 epidemic, and possessed greater levels of knowledge. Free riders were more likely to work in community health centers and have a lower degree than believers. Contradictors were more likely to work in community health centers, had junior college degrees or lower, and had no work experience during the COVID-19 epidemic than believers. From the highest to the lowest on vaccination intention and attention to vaccine news were believers, then free riders, contradictors, and finally middlemen.ConclusionThis study could aid in the development of personalized vaccination strategies based on nurses' vaccine hesitancy profiles and predictors. In addition to vaccine believers, we identified other three profiles based on their 5C psychological antecedents, emphasizing the significance of establishing tailored vaccination campaigns. Further research into the prevalence of profile structure in other groups of healthcare workers is required.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Italian Healthcare Workers: Latent Profiles and Their Relationships to Predictors and Outcome

“…However, despite this assumption, our results suggest that high calculation is not an exclusive characteristic of believers. The second profile was the middler, characterized by about average levels of all 5C components and was partially in line with the previous literature [ 23 , 25 ]. More specifically, we found that this profile showed a configuration of the 5Cs that are not extreme in their values, with true means above 5 (agree point on the response scale) for calculation and confidence, and 6 for collective responsibility.…”

“…Taking a person-centered approach, we empirically identified four different profiles of HCWs based on their scores in 5Cs measure [ 14 ]. The majority of our population of HCWs falls into the believer profile, converging with results from previous research, defined by the highest levels of confidence and collective responsibility, and lowest levels in complacency and constraints [ 23 , 25 , 27 ]. Furthermore, in line with Zhang and colleagues [ 25 ], in our study, calculation was slightly below average levels, and it was the profile with the lowest levels of calculation.…”

“…The majority of our population of HCWs falls into the believer profile, converging with results from previous research, defined by the highest levels of confidence and collective responsibility, and lowest levels in complacency and constraints [ 23 , 25 , 27 ]. Furthermore, in line with Zhang and colleagues [ 25 ], in our study, calculation was slightly below average levels, and it was the profile with the lowest levels of calculation. These results contradict the 5C model assumptions about the role of the calculation in the vaccine hesitancy [ 14 ].…”

“…In this sense, the empirical identification of subpopulations and their characteristics with regards to vaccine hesitancy will serve as key components of a successful vaccination strategy. Very few studies have employed a person-centered approach in classifying people into subpopulations depending on their vaccination hesitancy [ 23 , 25 ]. A recent review on COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among HCWs, showed that different attitude patterns and behaviors against COVID-19 vaccination could be identified [ 26 ].…”

“…These patterns may combine and define different subpopulations of hesitant individuals. For example, in their recent study, Zhang and colleagues adopted the 5C model and identified four latent profiles of hesitant among nurses: believers (high confidence and collective responsibility), free riders (similar characteristics to believers, except for a low collective responsibility), middlemen (average levels in all 5C factors), and contradictors (high in all 5C factors) [ 25 ].…”