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Factors Influencing the Choice to Advise for or against COVID-19 Vaccination in the Physicians and Dentists of an Italian Region

Authors :
Eleonora Marziali
Alberto Lontano
Luca Regazzi
Andrea Paladini
Leonardo Villani
Giovanna Elisa CalabrĂ²
Gianfranco Damiani
Patrizia Laurenti
Walter Ricciardi
Chiara Cadeddu
Source :
Vaccines, Vol 10, Iss 11, p 1793 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs), particularly physicians, are a relevant and trusted source of information for patients, especially when health-related choices such as vaccination are concerned. Between July and November 2022, we administered a web-based survey to physicians and dentists living in the Latio region of Italy to explore whether their background might affect their willingness to recommend the COVID-19 vaccination to their patients (RCVtoPat) and their relatives (RCVtoRel). We performed a multivariable logistic regression to study the association between the two outcomes (RCVtoPat and RCVtoRel) and their potential determinants in our sample (n = 1464). We found that being a dentist, an increasing fear of COVID-19, and having been previously vaccinated against flu are positively associated with both RCVtoPat and RCVtoRel, while a better self-rated knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines is associated only with RCVtoRel. No role was found for age, sex, civil status, education level, information sources, previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, and chronic diseases. A sub-group analysis of physicians alone (n = 1305) demonstrated a positive association with RCVtoRel of being specialized in diagnostic/therapeutic services and a negative effect on RCVtoPat of being trained in general practice. We provide useful insights about the factors that should be addressed to ensure HCWs exert a positive influence on their patients and communities.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2076393X
Volume :
10
Issue :
11
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Vaccines
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.9aa6dd9e1cc448309cd036d35cd1e1f6
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10111793