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COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Psychosocial Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Health-Science Students of Lithuania–A National Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Jonas Montvidas

    (Psychiatry Department, Medical Faculty, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Milda Basevičiūtė

    (Psychiatry Department, Medical Faculty, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Kamilė Burokaitė

    (Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, LT-01513 Vilnius, Lithuania)

  • Virginija Adomaitienė

    (Psychiatry Department, Medical Faculty, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Sigita Lesinskienė

    (Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, LT-01513 Vilnius, Lithuania)

Abstract

(1) Background: the relationship between the psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is understudied. Moreover, health science students are the future leaders and advocates of vaccination efforts. Therefore, it is essential to understand the origins of vaccine hesitancy and evaluate if the adverse psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic influence it. (2) Methods: we shared an anonymous questionnaire among health-science students via institutional emails of two Lithuanian universities. Results were summarized with odds ratios and mean differences. (3) Results: a total of 1545 health sciences students answered the questionnaire. Almost a fifth of the respondents claimed that they were unsure about getting vaccinated, and nearly one out of ten claimed that they would not get vaccinated. Medicine students, non-infected students, and students who volunteered in a COVID-19 ward were significantly more willing to get vaccinated compared to other health science students. Vaccine hesitant respondents reported a more significant negative effect of COVID-19 on their income and belief in the future. (4) Conclusions: the results of this study showed that negative psychosocial impact on income and ‘belief in future’ were positively associated with vaccine hesitancy. Having been diagnosed with COVID-19 was significantly associated with being doubtful towards vaccination.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonas Montvidas & Milda Basevičiūtė & Kamilė Burokaitė & Virginija Adomaitienė & Sigita Lesinskienė, 2021. "COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Psychosocial Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Health-Science Students of Lithuania–A National Cross-Sectional Online Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:12870-:d:696477
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Olga M. Rostkowska & Alexandra Peters & Jonas Montvidas & Tudor M. Magdas & Leon Rensen & Wojciech S. Zgliczyński & Magdalena Durlik & Benedikt W. Pelzer, 2021. "Attitudes and Knowledge of European Medical Students and Early Graduates about Vaccination and Self-Reported Vaccination Coverage—Multinational Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-17, March.
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