Knowledge about COVID-19 and vaccine acceptability among priority groups defined for vaccination: A cross-sectional study in Araba/Alava, Spain, before the vaccination against SARS-CoV-2

Naiara Parraza-Diez; Cristina Bermudez-Ampudia; Raquel Cobos-Campos; Ines Garmendia; Estibalitz Orruño; Elena Ojeda; Ignacio Garitano; María Robledo; Jose Joaquín Portu; Antxon Apiñaniz

doi:10.1016/j.jvacx.2022.100176

Knowledge about COVID-19 and vaccine acceptability among priority groups defined for vaccination: A cross-sectional study in Araba/Alava, Spain, before the vaccination against SARS-CoV-2

Vaccine X. 2022 Aug:11:100176. doi: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2022.100176. Epub 2022 Jun 6.

Authors

Naiara Parraza-Diez^{1

2}, Cristina Bermudez-Ampudia¹, Raquel Cobos-Campos¹, Ines Garmendia^{1

3}, Estibalitz Orruño¹, Elena Ojeda⁴, Ignacio Garitano^{1

5}, María Robledo^{1

6}, Jose Joaquín Portu^{1

6

7}, Antxon Apiñaniz^{1

7

8}

Affiliations

¹ Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
² Research Network on Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Madrid, Spain.
³ Health Department of Basque Government, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
⁴ Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department. Madrid Salud, Madrid, Spain.
⁵ School of Human Sciences, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain.
⁶ Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Araba University Hospital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
⁷ University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
⁸ Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Aranbizkarra I Health Centre, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.

Abstract

Background: The acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine varies depending on the time, place, type of vaccine and information available at the time. Knowledge of attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among the population at high risk of developing the disease would help to tailor the strategy to improve adherence to vaccination recommendations.

Aim: To analyze the willingness, knowledge and risk perception of patients and health care workers (HCW) to get the vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey in Araba/Álava province (Spain). Subjects who met the criteria for the influenza vaccination in 2019 and HCWS from the Basque Public Health Service were included. The participants answered a questionnaire on the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 before starting vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The intention to vaccinate was compared using the chi-squared test.

Results: 316 HCWs and 389 patients responded to the survey. Around 90% of the patients and 80% of HCW would accept vaccination in all scenarios according to the questionnaire (p < 0.001). Only 3-12% hesitated about the COVID-19 vaccines. Compared to 40-70% of patients, 60-80% of HCWs perceived a high risk of COVID-19 (p < 0.001). Statistically significant differences were found in 10 of the 17 questions regarding the mechanism of transmission and symptoms.

Conclusion: HCWs had a better knowledge and risk perception of COVID-19 than the surveyed patients. They had a higher proportion of hesitancy to get COVID-19 vaccine, probably related to doubts about the effectiveness of the new vaccines and the scientific evidence.

Keywords: Attitudes; COVID-19; Healthcare workers; Knowledge; Practices; Vaccine.