The relationship of perceived risk and intention to vaccination against COVID-19

Abstract

Background. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still a global leading public health issue, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Vaccine hesitancy can decelerate the effect of mass vaccination programs. We aimed to assess the determinants of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and its relationship with the perceived risk of COVID-19 in the Iranian population at the beginning of the vaccination program. Methods. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Tabriz city in the North-West of Iran in June 2021 including 500 subjects aged 18 to 64 years. The collected data included the demographic variables, participants' previous COVID-19 infection, history of the COVID-19 infection and mortality in the participant’s family members, perceived risk of COVID-19, and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 16. Independent t-test and logistic regression were applied. Results. The acceptance, doubt, and rejection of COVID-19 vaccine were reported by 232 (46.4%), 129 (25.8%), and 139 (27.8%) cases, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the age, education level, profession, and perceived risk of COVID-19 were significantly related to the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine.