Attitude and Behavior of Healthcare Workers and General Public Towards SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination After the Rollout of COVID-19 Vaccines

Abstract

Background:  Comparative studies have been reported on the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) and the general public (GP) before the rollout of the vaccination programs. Objective This study aimed to compare the uptake of vaccination among HCWs and GP, and their attitude and behavior towards SARS-CoV-2 vaccination after the rollout of the vaccination program in Pakistan. Methodology: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan from 6th to 26th December 2021. A trained researcher approached HCWs and GPs in person and interviewed them using a piloted questionnaire. Demographic data and responses (yes/no) to the following questions were recorded; vaccination status, motivating factors for vaccination in vaccinated participants and whether they delayed their vaccination, plan to get the vaccine in the unvaccinated participants, and concerns regarding vaccination in all participants. Results A total of 307 HCWs and 344 participants from GP took part in the survey. A higher proportion of HCWs than GPs were vaccinated (84.7% vs 74.4%, p < 0.001). A smaller number (57.7 % vs 81%, p < 0.001) of females were vaccinated in the GP group than HCWs. The majority of the participants concerned about vaccine-related blood clotting and who considered it as a marketing strategy of the West belonged to the HCWs group (80.4 %, p < 0.001, and 73.7%, p = 0.019, respectively). A considerable number of participants with concerns like the vaccine contains a microchip, religious concerns, and deeming the vaccine unnecessary after natural infection belonged to the GP group (78.9% p = 0.021, 81.5%, p = 0.002 and 67%, p = 0.002, respectively). Motivating factors like Institutional requirements and mandatory vaccination for travelling abroad were reported by higher number of GPs (59.8%, p = 0.006, and 68.1%, p = 0.008, respectively). A significant proportion of HCWs (63.8%, p < 0.001) than GPs got vaccinated because of their knowledge about COVID-19. Conclusions Healthcare workers had a higher vaccination rate compared to GPs. Vaccine-related concerns regarding clotting and financial scam were reported more by HCWs. While vaccines to install microchip, religious misconceptions and redundancy of vaccination after natural infection was reported more by GPs. Institutional requirements and travelling abroad were the main driving factors for the GP to get vaccinated while for HCWs, it was awareness about the sequelae of contracting COVID-19. Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination; Attitude; Pakistan