COVID-19 Literacy and Vaccine Hesitancy Among Health Care Workers in Japan
Author Information
Author(s): Ueno Fujimi, Haresaku Satoru, Iino Hidechika, Taguchi Tomoaki, Sakagami Ryuji, Matsumoto Koichiro, Kudo Kotaro, Yoneda Masahiro, Chishaki Akiko, Okada Kenji
Primary Institution: Fukuoka Nursing College, Graduate School of Nursing
Hypothesis
What is the status of COVID-19 literacy and vaccine hesitancy among oral health professionals compared to other healthcare workers?
Conclusion
Oral health professionals in Japan have lower COVID-19 literacy and higher vaccine hesitancy compared to other healthcare workers.
Supporting Evidence
- Dental hygienists had lower COVID-19 literacy levels compared to nurses and physicians.
- Dentists received fewer vaccine doses than physicians.
- Younger age and concern about vaccine side effects were linked to higher vaccine hesitancy.
Takeaway
This study found that many health workers, especially younger dental professionals, are unsure about COVID-19 vaccines and need more education.
Methodology
A self-administered questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 596 staff members in March 2023.
Potential Biases
Self-reported data may not accurately reflect actual vaccination status.
Limitations
The study was conducted after vaccines became widely available, and the response rate was 76.5%.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 239 males and 165 females, with a majority under 40 years old.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.005
Confidence Interval
0.06-0.93
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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