Predictors of Decision-Making to Get the Covid-19 Vaccines among People in the Fifth Health Region

Abstract

Introduction: Even though getting COVID-19 vaccines minimises complications and mortality rate of COVID-19 infections, most people still deny getting the vaccine.

Research Objective: To examine predictors of decision-making to get COVID-19 vaccines among people in the fifth Health Region.

Research Methodology: In this predictive study, 1,159 participants over the age of 18 from the Fifth Health Region voluntarily completed questionnaires based on the Health Belief Model using online survey conducted from July to August 2021.

Results: Most respondents were female (82.14%), aged 19-59 years old (81.02%), not graduated (60.83%) and employed (88.09%). The mean scores of the perceived benefits ( =4.00, SD=0.77), the perceived severity ( =3.93, SD=0.68), the perceived risks (=3.65, SD=1.06), and the perceived barriers of getting Covid-19 vaccines ( =3.53, SD=0.89) were at a “good” level. In addition, the results showed that employed status, the perceived benefits and the perceived barriers were statistically significantly associated with the decision-making of getting Covid-19 vaccines (p< .05).

Conclusion: Employed people were more likely recognised to get the vaccines than unemployed people 2.05 times (p= .009, 95% CI; 1.11-3.78). People with a higher level of perceived benefits were more likely to get the vaccines than those with a lower level. 2.39 times (p= .007, 95% CI; 0.68-8.39). Consequently, people with a higher level of perceived barriers were less likely to intend to get the vaccines than those with a lower level 0.21 times (p=.009, 95% CI; 0.50-0.86).

Implications: The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination should be propagated, whereas the barriers of getting the vaccines should be decreased. These factors could result in the expansion of COVID-19 vaccination in the future.