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. 2021 May 20;21(1):955.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-10987-3.

Knowledge, attitude, and acceptance of healthcare workers and the public regarding the COVID-19 vaccine: a cross-sectional study

Muhammed Elhadi  1 , Ahmed Alsoufi  2 , Abdulmueti Alhadi  3 , Amel Hmeida  2 , Entisar Alshareea  2 , Mawadda Dokali  2 , Sanabel Abodabos  3 , Omaymah Alsadiq  3 , Mohammed Abdelkabir  4 , Aimen Ashini  2 , Abdulhamid Shaban  2 , Saja Mohammed  3 , Nehal Alghudban  3 , Eman Bureziza  5 , Qasi Najah  6 , Khawla Abdulrahman  4 , Nora Mshareb  2 , Khawla Derwish  2 , Najwa Shnfier  2 , Rayan Burkan  2 , Marwa Al-Azomi  3 , Ayman Hamdan  7 , Khadeejah Algathafi  8 , Eman Abdulwahed  9 , Khadeejah Alheerish  4 , Naeimah Lindi  8   10 , Mohamed Anaiba  11 , Abobaker Elbarouni  11 , Monther Alsharif  12 , Kamal Alhaddad  2 , Enas Alwhishi  2 , Muad Aboughuffah  6 , Wesal Aljadidi  2 , Aisha Jaafari  2 , Ala Khaled  2 , Ahmed Zaid  2 , Ahmed Msherghi  2
Affiliations

Knowledge, attitude, and acceptance of healthcare workers and the public regarding the COVID-19 vaccine: a cross-sectional study

Muhammed Elhadi et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: This study determined the knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding COVID-19 and assessed the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers and the general population.

Methods: A web-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling in Libya from December 1 to 18, 2020 among the general population and healthcare workers. Data on demographic characteristics, COVID-19 vaccination-related concerns, knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding COVID-19, and knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance regarding the COVID-19 vaccine were collected using a self-administered survey. A binomial logistic regression was performed with 70% efficacy to determine the association between acceptance of the vaccine and study variables.

Results: Valid and complete responses were collected from 15,087 participants. Of these, 6227 (41.3%) were male and 8860 (58.7%) were female, with a mean (SD) age of 30.6 ± 9.8 years. Moreover, 485 (3.2%) participants were infected with COVID-19 at the time of the study, while 2000 (13.3%) had been previously infected. Overall, 2452 (16.3%) participants agreed, and 3127 (20.7%) strongly agreed, with "having concerns about serious vaccine-related complications." Mask-wearing adherence was reported by 10,268 (68.1%) of the participants. Most participants (14,050, 93.1%) believed that the vaccine should be provided for free, while 7272 (48.2%) were willing to buy it. Regarding vaccine acceptance and efficacy, 12,006 (79.6%) reported their willingness to take the vaccine with an efficacy of 90% or more, 9143 (60.6%) with an efficacy of 70% or more, and only 6212 (41.2%) with an efficacy of 50%. The binomial logistic regression revealed that vaccine acceptance was not associated with belonging to the medical field versus the general population. Acceptance was statistically associated with younger age groups, especially 31-40 (OR = 1.3 [1.09, 1.55]) and 41-50 years (OR = 1.29, [1.09, 1.54]). However, having a family member or friend infected with COVID-19 was positively associated with the likelihood of vaccine acceptance (OR = 1.09 [1.02, 1.18]), while having a friend or family member who died due to COVID-19 was negatively associated with it (OR = 0.89 [0.84, 0.97]).

Conclusions: Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine is an essential determinant of vaccine uptake and the likelihood of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Developing strategies to decrease public hesitation and increase trust is vital for implementing vaccination programs.

Keywords: Acceptance; Attitude; COVID-19; Knowledge; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
STROBE flow chart. STROBE, Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
a Knowledge toward COVID-19 Pandemic According to Type of Participants. b. Attitude toward COVID-19 Pandemic According to Type of Participants. c. Practice toward COVID-19 Pandemic According to Type of Participants
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
a. Knowledge about COVID-19 Vaccine According to Type of Participants. b Attitude about COVID-19 Vaccine According to Type of Participants. c Practice about COVID-19 Vaccine According to Type of Participants
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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