Abstract: Background: The willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 was the determinant in Thailand achieving herd immunity. Unwillingness was the impediment to COVID-19 vaccination. We could assess factors that lead to vaccine refusal and level of willingness by observing factors related to willingness.
Objective: To measure level of willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and predictive factors for vaccination.
Methodology: Montfort College students were sent links to complete an online questionnaire. The survey was completed by 341 students. Willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19, knowledge of COVID-19, and attitude toward COVID-19 were all evaluated. Participation was entirely voluntary, and no personal information was collected from any participant.
Descriptive statistic were used to describe socio demographic characteristics. A generalized linear model was calculated to determine the predictive factors of willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19
Findings: Participants demonstrated an intermediate level of COVID-19 related knowledge, answering a mean of 9.76 (SD=1.87) correct answers out of 14 questions. The analysis of the correlations between outcome of the study illustrated the existence of positive and statistically correlations between risk perception of getting COVID-19 (r=.159**, p<0.01) and the confidence in the government (r=.179**, p<0.01).
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed a moderate level of willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Results of risk perception of getting COVID-19 was at a poor level. Participants also illustrated low confidence in the government. In light of this, predictive factors for willingness were risk perception and confidence in government, which risk perception showed stronger influence in willingness. In addition, risk perception of getting COVID-19 and confidence in government positively associated with willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19 Vaccine, Vaccine hesitancy, high school students.
Title: Willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19: A study among high school students in Montfort College Chiangmai, Thailand
Author: Nattaya Bansupa
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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