Vaccine Acceptance and Its Influencing Factors: An Online Cross-Sectional Study among International College Students Studying in China

doi:10.3390/vaccines9060585

. 2021 Jun 2;9(6):585.

doi: 10.3390/vaccines9060585.

Vaccine Acceptance and Its Influencing Factors: An Online Cross-Sectional Study among International College Students Studying in China

Anita Nyarkoa Walker¹, Ting Zhang², Xue-Qing Peng¹, Jin-Jin Ge¹, Hai Gu³, Hua You¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
² School of Public Administration, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
³ School of Government, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.

PMID: 34199331
PMCID: PMC8228371
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9060585

Vaccine Acceptance and Its Influencing Factors: An Online Cross-Sectional Study among International College Students Studying in China

Anita Nyarkoa Walker et al. Vaccines (Basel). 2021.

. 2021 Jun 2;9(6):585.

doi: 10.3390/vaccines9060585.

Authors

Anita Nyarkoa Walker¹, Ting Zhang², Xue-Qing Peng¹, Jin-Jin Ge¹, Hai Gu³, Hua You¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
² School of Public Administration, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
³ School of Government, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.

PMID: 34199331
PMCID: PMC8228371
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9060585

Abstract

Background: With the continuous large-scale development of the COVID-19 vaccine, the acceptance of vaccination and its influencing factors at the individual level have become crucial to stemming the pandemic. This study aims to explore the factors that influence the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among international college students.

Methods: The target population constituted international students pursuing various degrees in Jiangsu Province through an online cross-sectional study. A cluster random sampling was performed using a self-administered questionnaire. The Health Belief Model and Knowledge, Attitude/Beliefs, and Practice Theory served as the underlying theories to understanding the factors that influence vaccine acceptance.

Results: We received 330 responses. About 36.4% intended to accept the vaccine. The acceptance varied across respondents' place of residence, program of study, continent of origin, knowledge, susceptibility, severity, benefits, and cues to action (p < 0.05). A multivariable logistics regression revealed cues to action (p < 0.001), the perception of COVID-19 vaccination benefits (p = 0.002), and the perception of barriers (p < 0.001) that were associated with vaccine acceptance.

Conclusions: The acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine was low among international students. The correct and comprehensive beliefs of the target groups regarding the benefits and barriers of the vaccination must be raised. Various effective social strategies must be adopted to trigger the intention of COVID-19 vaccination. The study findings will inform the decisions of public health campaigners, aimed at reducing vaccine hesitation when the COVID-19 vaccine is widely available.

Keywords: China; cross-sectional study; health behavior theory; vaccine acceptance.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interest.

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[1] Chen N., Zhou M., Dong X., Qu J., Gong F., Han Y., Qiu Y., Wang J., Liu Y., Wei Y., et al. Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of 99 Cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia in Wuhan, China: A Descript. Lancet. 2020;395:507–513. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30211-7. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[2] Chen N., Zhou M., Dong X., Qu J., Gong F., Han Y., Qiu Y., Wang J., Liu Y., Wei Y., et al. Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of 99 Cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia in Wuhan, China: A Descript. Lancet. 2020;395:507–513. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30211-7. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[3] Holshue M.L., DeBolt C., Lindquist S., Lofy K.H., Wiesman J., Bruce H., Spitters C., Ericson K., Wilkerson S., Tural A., et al. First Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the United States. N. Engl. J. Med. 2020;382:929–936. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2001191. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[4] Holshue M.L., DeBolt C., Lindquist S., Lofy K.H., Wiesman J., Bruce H., Spitters C., Ericson K., Wilkerson S., Tural A., et al. First Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the United States. N. Engl. J. Med. 2020;382:929–936. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2001191. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[5] Li Q., Guan X., Wu P., Wang X., Zhou L., Tong Y., Ren R., Leung K.S.M., Lau E.H.Y., Wong J.Y., et al. Early Transmission Dynamics in Wuhan, China, of Novel Coronavirus-Infected Pneumonia. N. Engl. J. Med. 2020;382:1199–1207. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2001316. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[6] Li Q., Guan X., Wu P., Wang X., Zhou L., Tong Y., Ren R., Leung K.S.M., Lau E.H.Y., Wong J.Y., et al. Early Transmission Dynamics in Wuhan, China, of Novel Coronavirus-Infected Pneumonia. N. Engl. J. Med. 2020;382:1199–1207. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2001316. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[7] The World Bank The Global Economic Outlook During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Changed World. [(accessed on 25 March 2021)]; Available online: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2020/06/08/the-global-economic....

[8] The World Bank The Global Economic Outlook During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Changed World. [(accessed on 25 March 2021)]; Available online: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2020/06/08/the-global-economic....

[9] Palache A. Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Provision in 157 Countries (2004–2009) and the Potential Influence of National Public Health Policies. Vaccine. 2011;29:9459–9466. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.10.030. - DOI - PubMed

[10] Palache A. Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Provision in 157 Countries (2004–2009) and the Potential Influence of National Public Health Policies. Vaccine. 2011;29:9459–9466. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.10.030. - DOI - PubMed

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Vaccine Acceptance and Its Influencing Factors: An Online Cross-Sectional Study among International College Students Studying in China

Affiliations

Vaccine Acceptance and Its Influencing Factors: An Online Cross-Sectional Study among International College Students Studying in China

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

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References

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