Patient Preference and Adherence (Sep 2024)

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Vaccine Hesitancy Among People with Chronic Diseases in Thailand: Role of Attitudes and Vaccine Literacy Towards Future Implications

  • Leelacharas S,
  • Maneesriwongul W,
  • Butsing N,
  • Kittipimpanon K,
  • Visudtibhan PJ

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 18
pp. 1815 – 1828

Abstract

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Sirirat Leelacharas, Wantana Maneesriwongul, Nipaporn Butsing, Kamonrat Kittipimpanon, Poolsuk Janepanish Visudtibhan Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandCorrespondence: Wantana Maneesriwongul, Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, 270 Rama VI Road, Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand, Email [email protected]: Vaccination is an important strategy to prevent or reduce hospitalizations and mortality caused by COVID-19 infection. However, some people with chronic diseases are hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccination.Objective: This study aimed to assess the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination and associated factors among people with chronic diseases.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between May and August 2021. A sample of 457 Thai adults living with one or more chronic diseases was drawn from a larger online survey.Results: Participants were 19 to 89 years old. The three most commonly reported chronic diseases were hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. The acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccination was 89.1%. Forty-six percent of respondents had received the COVID-19 vaccination, and 43.1% intended to get the vaccine. Reasons for vaccine hesitancy/refusal included concerns about adverse side effects from the vaccines including long-term effects that might complicate their disease condition. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that having a bachelor’s degree or higher [aOR 4.40; 95% CI: 2.12– 9.14], being employed [aOR 2.11; 95% CI: 1.03– 4.39], and having positive attitudes [aOR 2.36; 95% CI: 1.69– 3.29] and negative attitudes [aOR 0.38; 95% CI: 0.27– 0.55] predicted acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine literacy was significantly associated with acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in binary logistic regression analyses, but it was not retained in the multiple logistic regression model.Conclusion: Vaccine literacy and attitudes influence acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in people with chronic diseases.Keywords: COVID-19, vaccine, vaccine literacy, attitudes, acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination, chronic diseases, Thailand

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