Exploring the factors influencing the adult population’s reluctance to accept the COVID-19 vaccine in Tehran.

Publication date: Nov 11, 2024

While evidence of efficacy, safety, and technical feasibility is crucial when introducing a vaccine, it is equally important to consider the psychological, social, and political factors influencing vaccine acceptance. This study aims to identify the factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adults in Tehran, Iran. The study employed a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional design carried out from 2021 to 2022. It involved 260 eligible individuals residing in the catchment areas of Tehran and Shahid Beheshti Universities of Medical Sciences who declined to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, selected through systematic sampling. Data collection was accomplished through a researcher-developed questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 26 software. The analysis utilized descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests including Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Multiple Linear Regression, to examine the relationships between variables. The average scores (SD) across dimensions were as follows: the individual’s health status and perceived risk, 15. 53 (1. 70); contextual and social effects, 17. 68 (2. 53); awareness, 14. 81 (2. 34); and beliefs and concerns. 14. 91 (2. 64), indicating a concerning situation regarding contextual and social impacts and a moderate status as to other areas. The primary reasons for vaccine refusal included fear, lack of belief in the vaccine, concerns about its reliability, illness, and lack of access or time. Acceptance of the vaccine was associated with education, occupation, marital status, number of children at home, and income reduction due to COVID-19. The findings indicate that fear, lack of belief in the vaccine, concerns regarding its reliability, illness, and lack of access or time were the most important factors influencing reluctance to receive the vaccine. Health organizations should consider these factors when encouraging the population to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Concepts Keywords
Iran Acceptance
Software Adult
Universities COVID-19
Vaccine COVID-19
COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 Vaccines
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Heath policy
Humans
Inequality
Iran
Iran
Male
Middle Aged
SARS-CoV-2
Surveys and Questionnaires
Vaccination Hesitancy
Vaccine
Young Adult

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease MESH health status
disease MESH marital status
disease MESH COVID-19
pathway REACTOME Reproduction
drug DRUGBANK Coenzyme M
disease MESH syndrome
disease MESH infection
disease IDO production
disease MESH vaccine preventable diseases
disease MESH anxiety
disease IDO history
disease IDO country
disease MESH influenza

Original Article

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