International Journal of Healthcare Sciences ISSN 2348-5728 (Online) Vol. 9, Issue 2, pp: (44-49), Month: October 2021 - March 2022, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 among university students in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand: A Cross sectional online survey Thana Chuenwattana Mahidol University International School
Abstract: Background: COVID-19 or Coronavirus disease 2019 has affected all aspects of life globally and become a major threat to public health around the world. One of the most important actions that need to be taken to stop the pandemic is vaccinations. Managing the COVID-19 pandemic in the long-term, vaccine hesitancy and negative attitudes towards vaccines are major barriers. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate Mahidol University students' knowledge, risk perceptions and the willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 vaccinations among undergraduate students in Mahidol University, Thailand. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using a questionnaire. A total of 400 students participated. COVID-19 related knowledge, risk perception, and the willingness to be vaccinated toward the COVID-19 vaccines were assessed. Statistical test using SPSS statistics to analyze differences between intention to be vaccinated and sociodemographic was done using exact p value, Pearson’s correlation and generalized linear model. Results: Students revealed a good level of COVID-19 related knowledge. Intention to get vaccinated was 43%(n=172) and the unwillingness to get vaccinated was 57%(n=228).The analysis of a binary logistic regression indicated that the risk of perception had a statistically significant effect on the intention to get vaccinated. Conclusion: There were 400 participants which were university students, 291 (72.8%) males and 109 (27.3%)females and aged between 18-22. The willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 was moderate(M=3.73, SD= 1.21). The knowledge of COVID-19 was moderate(M=7.87, SD=0.95). The risk perception of getting COVID-19 was moderate(M=17.03 , SD=2.25). The predictive factors for willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 were the risk perception(Beta=0.20, p<0.01) and congenital diseases (Beta=0.15, p<0.01). Keywords: COVID-19, Willingness to be vaccinated, COVID-19 Knowledge, Risk perception, Vaccine acceptance.
1. INTRODUCTION Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus, which first emerged from Wuhan, China, and reported in late December 2019 as the 2019 novel coronavirus [1]. COVID-19 can spread through air particles or droplets of saliva when the infected person cough or sneeze [2]. Minor irresistible particles can wait within the discuss and collect in indoor places, particularly where numerous individuals assemble with destitute ventilation[3]. Subsequently, mask-wearing, hand cleanliness, and physical remove are essential to avoid COVID-19 [4]. According to the COVID-19 situation in Thailand on September, there have been 1,308,343 confirmed cases of COVID19 with 13,283 deaths[5]. COVID-19 infections had decreasing everyday by the daily report of 14,802 new infections[6]. There are 4 vaccines available in Thailand which are AstraZeneca, Sinovac, Moderna, and Johnson-Johnson, having Sinovac being the most large in numbers[7]. Sinovac efficacy rate 50.4% is lower than other vaccines. Doctors and people who help tackle the problem of COVID-19 had prioritized, following by students and teachers[8].
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