Knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and COVID-19 hesitancy in a large public university in Mexico City during the early vaccination rollout (original) (raw)

2022, Research Square (Research Square)

Background: Vaccination against COVID-19 is a primary tool for controlling the pandemic. However, the spread of vaccine hesitancy constitutes a signi cant threat to reverse progress in controlling transmissible diseases such as COVID-19. A previous Mexican survey conducted in 2012 showed that the adult population with more years of formal education and from higher socioeconomic levels was more likely to have incomplete vaccination schedules. Objective: To know the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and associated factors among academics, students, and administrative personnel of a public university in Mexico City. Methods: We administered an online survey investigating sociodemographic aspects, knowledge, attitudes, practices, and acceptance/hesitancy regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Using generalized linear Poisson models, we analyzed factors associated with vaccine hesitancy, de ned as not intending to be vaccinated within the following six months or refusing vaccination. Results: During May and June 2021, we studied 840 people, prevalence of vaccine hesitancy was 6%. Hesitancy was signi cantly associated with fear of adverse effects, distrust of physician's recommendations, lack of knowledge regarding handwashing, age younger than 40 years, refusal to use face masks, and not having received in uenza vaccination during the two previous seasons. Conclusions. Vaccine hesitancy in this population is low. Furthermore, our results allowed us the identi cation of characteristics that can improve vaccine promotion.