Dataset Information

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in patients on dialysis in Italy and France.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Patients on dialysis (HDP) are a category at high risk from COVID-19 and thus a high-priority group for vaccination. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has been a concern since the availability of the first vaccine. The objective of this study was to determine hesitancy rates and factors associated with hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination in HDP.

Methods

HDP were surveyed with an ad hoc questionnaire in four large dialysis facilities in Europe: Le Mans and Paris, in France, Cagliari and Pavia, in Italy. The questionnaire explored different domains associated with vaccine hesitancy, such as perception of disease severity, sources of information about the vaccine and the disease, and confidence in the healthcare system.

Results

417 patients (average age 69, 60% men) agreed to answer the questionnaire. Hesitancy was associated with younger age (p 0.003), lower perception of disease severity (<0.001) and vaccine efficacy (p<0.001), lower trust in vaccination (p<0.001) and in the healthcare system and scientists (p<0.001) in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate models, concerns about side effects (p 0.004) and vaccine efficacy (<0.001) and living in France (p 0.04) remained associated with higher vaccine hesitancy, while having received an influenza vaccine (p 0.032) and trusting scientists (p 0.032) were associated with a more positive attitude towards vaccination.

Conclusions

HDP have a good understanding of the risks associated with COVID-19. Vaccine hesitancy was not associated with educational level, age or gender but rather with lack of confidence in vaccine efficacy and concerns about safety. HDP were quite skeptical about the healthcare system but generally trusted scientists.

SUBMITTER: Blanchi S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8425747 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Background The hesitancy in taking the COVID-19 vaccine is a global challenge. The need to identify predictors of COVID-19 vaccine reluctance is critical. Our objectives were to evaluate sociodemographic, psychological, and behavioral factors, as well as attitudes and beliefs that influence COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in the general population of Italy. Methods A total of 2,015 people were assessed in two waves (March, April and May, 2021). Participants were divided into three groups: (1) individuals who accepted the vaccination (“accepters”); (2) individuals who refused the vaccination (“rejecters”); and (3) individuals who were uncertain about their attitudes toward the vaccination (“fence sitters”). Group comparisons were performed using ANOVA, the Kruskal-Wallis test and chi-square tests. The strength of the association between the groups and the participants' characteristics was analyzed using a series of multinomial logistic regression models with bootstrap internal validation (one for each factor). Results The “fence sitters” group, when compared to the others, included individuals of younger age, lower educational level, and worsening economic situation in the previous 3 months. After controlling for sociodemographic factors, the following features emerged as the main risk factors for being “fence sitters” (compared with vaccine “accepters”): reporting lower levels of protective behaviors, trust in institutions and informational sources, frequency of use of informational sources, agreement with restrictions and higher conspirative mentality. Higher levels of COVID-19 perceived risk, trust in institutions and informational sources, frequency of use of informational sources, agreement with restrictions and protective behaviors were associated with a higher likelihood of becoming “fence sitters” rather than vaccine “rejecters.” Conclusions The “fence sitters” profile revealed by this study is intriguing and should be the focus of public programmes aimed at improving adherence to the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.