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Exposure to Misinformation, Risk Perception, and Confidence towards the Government as Factors Influencing Negative Attitudes towards COVID-19 Vaccination in Malaysia

Author

Listed:
  • Emma Mohamad

    (Centre for Research in Media and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
    UKM × UNICEF Communication for Development Centre in Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Jen Sern Tham

    (Department of Communication, Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Seri Kembangan 43400, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Siti Zaiton Mohd Ajis

    (Centre for Research in Media and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
    UKM × UNICEF Communication for Development Centre in Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Mohammad Rezal Hamzah

    (Department of Communication, Faculty of Business and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Kangar 01000, Perlis, Malaysia)

  • Suffian Hadi Ayub

    (Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam 40450, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Andi Muhammad Tri Sakti

    (Centre for Research in Media and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
    UKM × UNICEF Communication for Development Centre in Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
    Faculty of Communication Science, Mercu Buana University, Jakarta 11650, Indonesia)

  • Arina Anis Azlan

    (Centre for Research in Media and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
    UKM × UNICEF Communication for Development Centre in Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia)

Abstract

Introduction: This study explored exposure to misinformation, COVID-19 risk perception, and confidence towards the government as predictors of negative attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out from 30 June to 30 August 2021 involving 775 respondents. The survey instrument for the questionnaire was an adaptation from various different studies consisting of five main variables: (1) misinformation about vaccination; (2) risk perception toward COVID-19; (3) attitudes toward the vaccination programme; (4) intention to get vaccinated; and (5) public confidence in the government in executing the vaccination programme. Results: The results of this study indicate that higher exposure to misinformation led to higher levels of negative attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. When the perceived risk of COVID-19 infection was high, mistrust of vaccine benefits was low but there were also higher worries about the future effects of the vaccine. Confidence in the government was associated with lower negative attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: The results of this study may help develop an understanding of negative attitudes toward vaccinations in Malaysia and its contributing factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Emma Mohamad & Jen Sern Tham & Siti Zaiton Mohd Ajis & Mohammad Rezal Hamzah & Suffian Hadi Ayub & Andi Muhammad Tri Sakti & Arina Anis Azlan, 2022. "Exposure to Misinformation, Risk Perception, and Confidence towards the Government as Factors Influencing Negative Attitudes towards COVID-19 Vaccination in Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-20, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:22:p:14623-:d:966103
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Marilena Mousoulidou & Andri Christodoulou & Michailina Siakalli & Marios Argyrides, 2023. "The Role of Conspiracy Theories, Perceived Risk, and Trust in Science on COVID-19 Vaccination Decisiveness: Evidence from Cyprus," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Weilun Ju & Shahrul Nazmi Sannusi & Emma Mohamad, 2023. "Stigmatizing Monkeypox and COVID-19: A Comparative Framing Study of The Washington Post ’s Online News," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-20, February.

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