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Misinformation, perceptions towards COVID-19 and willingness to be vaccinated: A population-based survey in Yemen

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmad Naoras Bitar
  • Mohammed Zawiah
  • Fahmi Y Al-Ashwal
  • Mohammed Kubas
  • Ramzi Mukred Saeed
  • Rami Abduljabbar
  • Ammar Ali Saleh Jaber
  • Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman
  • Amer Hayat Khan

Abstract

Background: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, many pharmaceutical companies have been racing to develop a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. Simultaneously, rumors and misinformation about COVID-19 are still widely spreading. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of COVID-19 misinformation among the Yemeni population and its association with vaccine acceptance and perceptions. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in four major cities in Yemen. The constructed questionnaire consisted of four main sections (sociodemographic data, misinformation, perceptions (perceived susceptibility, severity, and worry), and vaccination acceptance evaluation). Subject recruitment and data collection were conducted online utilizing social websites and using the snowball sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using SPSS version 27. Results: The total number of respondents was 484. Over 60% of them were males and had a university education. More than half had less than 100$ monthly income and were khat chewers, while only 18% were smokers. Misinformation prevalence ranged from 8.9% to 38.9%, depending on the statement being asked. Men, university education, higher income, employment, and living in urban areas were associated with a lower misinformation level (p

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmad Naoras Bitar & Mohammed Zawiah & Fahmi Y Al-Ashwal & Mohammed Kubas & Ramzi Mukred Saeed & Rami Abduljabbar & Ammar Ali Saleh Jaber & Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman & Amer Hayat Khan, 2021. "Misinformation, perceptions towards COVID-19 and willingness to be vaccinated: A population-based survey in Yemen," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(10), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0248325
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248325
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sahil Loomba & Alexandre Figueiredo & Simon J. Piatek & Kristen Graaf & Heidi J. Larson, 2021. "Measuring the impact of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on vaccination intent in the UK and USA," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 5(3), pages 337-348, March.
    2. Sahil Loomba & Alexandre Figueiredo & Simon J. Piatek & Kristen Graaf & Heidi J. Larson, 2021. "Author Correction: Measuring the impact of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on vaccination intent in the UK and USA," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 5(7), pages 960-960, July.
    3. Yerina S. Ranjit & Haejung Shin & Jennifer M. First & J. Brian Houston, 2021. "COVID-19 protective model: the role of threat perceptions and informational cues in influencing behavior," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(3-4), pages 449-465, April.
    4. Sahil Loomba & Alexandre Figueiredo & Simon J. Piatek & Kristen Graaf & Heidi J. Larson, 2021. "Author Correction: Measuring the impact of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on vaccination intent in the UK and USA," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 5(3), pages 407-407, March.
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