COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake and Related Determinants in Detained Subjects in Italy

Abstract

Background: This study explored the extent of COVID-19 vaccination coverage and investigated drivers and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake among people in prison. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to October 2021 among 517 detained people in the Campania region of South Italy. Results: In total, 47.1% of participants expressed a high concern about contracting COVID-19 after vaccination, whereas 60.6% and 53.8% of respondents reported a positive attitude towards usefulness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines, respectively. Adherence to the active offer of COVID-19 vaccination involved 89.7% of detained subjects. COVID-19 vaccination uptake was significantly higher in females, and in those who reported influenza vaccination uptake, had received information about COVID-19 vaccination from media and newspapers, did not express need of additional information about COVID-19 vaccine, believed that COVID-19 vaccine is safe, were involved in working activities in the prison, and had a high school or university degree. Conclusions: These findings showed a high self-reported COVID-19 vaccination coverage in detained subjects, supporting the effectiveness of the strategy aimed at giving priority to COVID-19 vaccinations in prisons. Further efforts are needed to contrast the hesitancy of those who refused vaccination to increase their confidence about usefulness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

Learning from the Past to Improve the Future—Vaccine Hesitancy Determinants in the Italian Population: A Systematic Review

“…The most common predisposing factor for VH found in the included studies and related to vaccination is the fear of developing adverse reactions [ 19 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 29 , 34 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 43 , 45 , 49 ]. Another significant aspect is the distrust or doubts about vaccination against COVID-19 and its efficacy [ 20 , 21 , 24 , 27 , 34 , 38 , 44 , 49 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. As easily expected, the attitude of refusal towards vaccinations or the adoption of poorly protective behaviours constitutes a further preponderant element predisposing to VH against COVID-19 [ 24 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 30 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 42 , 48 , 51 ].…”

“…Another significant aspect is the distrust or doubts about vaccination against COVID-19 and its efficacy [ 20 , 21 , 24 , 27 , 34 , 38 , 44 , 49 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. As easily expected, the attitude of refusal towards vaccinations or the adoption of poorly protective behaviours constitutes a further preponderant element predisposing to VH against COVID-19 [ 24 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 30 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 42 , 48 , 51 ]. Another predisposing element is the lack of awareness of contracting the infection [ 18 , 31 , 33 , 34 , 37 , 42 , 44 , 46 , 49 ].…”

“…Among the sociocultural factors, the one most frequently found associated with VH is a low level of education [ 18 , 26 , 27 , 30 , 32 , 40 , 41 , 44 , 50 , 51 , 53 ]. Information obtained through mass media or the internet, scarcity of information, and information obtained from non-medical people are associated with VH [ 18 , 23 , 27 , 37 , 50 , 52 ].…”

“…Among the sociocultural factors, the one most frequently found associated with VH is a low level of education [ 18 , 26 , 27 , 30 , 32 , 40 , 41 , 44 , 50 , 51 , 53 ]. Information obtained through mass media or the internet, scarcity of information, and information obtained from non-medical people are associated with VH [ 18 , 23 , 27 , 37 , 50 , 52 ]. Five studies identify distrust of authorities [ 22 , 28 , 30 , 37 , 48 ], and two studies identify a conspirative mentality [ 28 , 30 ] as elements implied in the decision to vaccinate against COVID-19.…”

“…In addition, one study reveals that the inhabitants of northern Italy and those who are unemployed are more hesitant towards this vaccine [ 30 ]. Five studies show that female gender is an additional determinant for hesitancy [ 27 , 40 , 50 , 51 , 53 ].…”