Changes in Behaviors and Attitudes in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccination in Healthcare Workers and University Students in Italy

Abstract

The objectives of the cross-sectional study were to measure how behaviors and attitudes about preventive measures toward COVID-19 changed over time among Italian vaccinated healthcare workers and university students, and the associated characteristics. The study was carried out between February and March 2021 in the city of Naples, Campania region, Southern Italy. The perceived personal risk of being infected by SARS-CoV-2 after the vaccination was significantly higher among males, in those having a higher perceived personal risk of being infected by SARS-CoV-2 before the vaccination, and in those who were more concerned about the efficacy of the vaccination. The fear of getting the disease as reason to have the COVID-19 vaccination was reported more frequently in younger participants, in those with at least one chronic medical condition, in those with a higher concern about the severity of COVID-19, in those with a higher level of trust in the information received, and in those who acquired information from scientific journals. Overall, 21.3% were willing to engage the three main public health measures (wearing a mask, careful hand washing, physical distancing) after receiving the second dose of the vaccination compared to the behavior before the pandemic began. This willingness was predicted by a higher level of trust in the information received and by a lower self-rated health status. Only 0.1% of participants were willing to engage all three measures after receiving the second dose of the vaccination compared to the behavior before receiving the first dose. These findings are useful in order to develop information strategies regarding vaccine safety and efficacy and the importance of public health measures against COVID-19.

Intention to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose in a University Community in Italy

“…Additionally, the main hypothesis was that respondents were more willing and less hesitant to receive the booster dose if they perceive that they are susceptible to COVID-19, that the disease is severe, and receive information from official government organizations. This article expands on some previous studies, as part of a larger project, of the willingness about this vaccination in a university community [17] and in HCWs [18] and of the impact of the pandemic and vaccination on the behaviors and attitudes of HCWs and students [19].…”

“…The questionnaire used in this study was adapted from the contents of instruments that have been used in previously cited surveys [17][18][19]. Piloting of the questionnaire was undertaken among 20 non-selected individuals to evaluate the comprehension of the questions and answers.…”

The Attitude towards Vaccination of Health Sciences Students at a Spanish University Improved over the First 18 Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…With respect to healthcare personnel, Ledda et al report attitudes to have improved among professionals at an Italian hospital over the course of the pandemic [36]. Della Polla et al also report Italian workers (including healthcare workers) and students at the University of Naples to have shown a clear improvement in their attitude towards vaccination, and positive change towards employing general preventive measures against COVID-19, including the use of masks, washing hands and social distancing [37].…”

Evaluating COVID-19 Vaccine Willingness and Hesitancy among Parents of Children Aged 5–11 Years with Chronic Conditions in Italy

“…A telephone survey was conducted from 14 December 2021 to 4 January 2022, as part of larger COVID-19 vaccination research enrolling different populations [ 9 , 11 , 17 , 18 ]. Using a simple random sampling method, a total of 890 children between the ages of 5 and 11 years with a chronic condition were recruited from the medical records of the outpatient Department of Pediatrics of a Teaching Hospital which is located in the city of Naples, southern part of Italy.…”

“…Finally, after accounting for a 10% non-response rate, the estimated total sample size became 427. This approach has been used in some of the previously mentioned studies on this topic [ 11 , 17 ].…”