Attitude of personnel's of Estonian nursing homes towards vaccination against COVID-19
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Tartu Health Care College, Estonia
Publication date: 2023-04-27
Popul. Med. 2023;5(Supplement):A492
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemia, many studies have been conducted to assess public attitudes and readiness for vaccination against COVID-19. Less attention has been paid to nursing home workers, though they have important role in achieving immunity in a vulnerable population. The aim was to clarify the readiness of Estonian nursing home workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and the factors influencing their opinion. Methods: Web-based electronic questionnaire was fulfilled online by nursing home personnel in May 2021. Descriptive statistics, t- or Mann-Whitney, and χ2- or Fisher Exact tests were used. In order to measure attitudes Likert-scale (5 degrees), and to identify risk factors associated with decision to vaccinate univariate logistic regression analyses were used. Results: 139 nursing home workers (caregivers, nurses, cleaners, board members and other specialists) participated. They were divided into pro-vaccination (87.8%); the skeptics (3.6%); anti-vaccination (8.6%) groups. Pro-vaccinatiors wanted to protect themselves (73.8%). Anti-vaccinators believed that there is not enough information about vaccines (75%) and vaccination is not necessary (33.3%) or even dangerous (41.7%). Vaccination was influenced by married/long-term relationship status and caregiver occupation (OR=3.01, 95% CI 1.04–8.76; OR=0.26, 95% CI 0.09–0.75, respectively). Most participants agreed that vaccination is important because it prevents severe illness (84.2%), protects others (82.7%) and limits the spread of disease (81.3%). The belonging to vaccination group was positively influenced by family status (cohabitation or marriage) (OR=3.01, 95% CI 1.04–8.76) but negatively by belonging to caregiver group (OR=0.26, 95% CI 0.09–0.75). Conclusions: Employees of Estonian nursing homes are mostly in favor of receiving COVID-19 vaccine. There were also skeptics and opponents of vaccination, which could have a negative impact on the health behavior and health of nursing home residents. Vaccine skepticism is a global problem and thus awareness and vaccination campaigns must continue.