COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among Libyan health care workers: a cross-sectional study in western Libya

Nasrien Elfarrah; Suhila Atwier; Entesar rajeb Knaz; Najwa Sakkah; Hanan Atwier; Hana Fahelbum; Nesren Jaaida

doi:10.54361/ljmr.17-10

Authors

Nasrien Elfarrah National Medical Research Center, Libya Author
Suhila Atwier National Medical Research Center, Libya Author
Entesar rajeb Knaz National Medical Research Center, Libya Author
Najwa Sakkah Assabria clinic Az-zawia Libya Author
Hanan Atwier Department of medical laboratory, Faculty of medical technology, University of Zawia Author
Hana Fahelbum Faculty of medicine university of Zawia Author
Nesren Jaaida Department of pharmaceutics, faculty of pharmacy -Zawia University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54361/ljmr.17-10

Keywords:

vaccine, Libya, acceptance, healthcare workers

Abstract

Background: Numerous rumors and facts regarding the Corona virus vaccines have been circulating since their introduction, and these have undoubtedly affected people, including health sector workers. A significant portion of consumers refused the COVID-19 immunization as a result of false information regarding the vaccine being circulated on social media. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccination among Libyan health sector workers. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 participants employed in both the public and private health care sectors in the north-west of Libya. A self-administered questionnaire written in Arabic was the study instrument used to collect data. SPSS Version 25 was used to statistically analyze the gathered data. Result: The overall acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine was 45%, with a significant difference between government and private places of work (p = 0.008). Individuals used social media websites as sources of their information (OR 0.078, 95% CL 0.013–0.471) were less likely to accept the vaccine in comparison to those with internet search websites. Conclusion: Libyan heath care worker's hesitancy to receive the COVID-19 immunization is a major problem. The acceptance of vaccines by health care workers was influenced by numerous factors. The most significant of these are the lack of information from reliable sources, a lack of confidence in the vaccine's safety, and concern about potential complications in the future. It must pay more attention to conduct educational programs that will improve health care worker's attitudes regarding receiving the COVID-19 vaccine by raising awareness and providing reassurance

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Sanche S, Lin YT, Xu C, Romero-Severson E, Hengartner N, Ke R. High Contagiousness and Rapid Spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Jul;26(7):1470-1477.

World health organization. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseas es/novel-coronavirus-2019?adgroupsurvey={adgroupsurvey}&g clid=Cj0KCQjw4s-kBhDqARIsAN-ipH1TAoS-4CzNhEb_QEmICDTCfbijjqrjG-V3yqExHcjJ1nqNgwHadKYaAjZPEALw_wcB . Accessed on 23-3-2023.

El-Sokkary RH, El Seifi OS, Hassan HM, Mortada EM, Hashem MK, Gadelrab MRMA, Tash RME. Predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Egyptian healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis. 2021 Aug 5;21(1):762.

Mehta, K., Dhaliwal, B. K., Zodpey, S., Loisate, S., Banerjee, P., Sengupta, P., ... & Shet, A. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among healthcare workers in India: Results from a cross-sectional survey. PLOS Global Public Health, 2022, 2(7), e0000661.

Sallam M. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Worldwide: A Concise Systematic Review of Vaccine Acceptance Rates. Vaccines (Basel). 2021 Feb 16;9(2):160.

Elhadi, M., Alsoufi, A., Alhadi, A. et al. Knowledge, attitude, and acceptance of healthcare workers and the public regarding the COVID-19 vaccine: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 21, 955 (2021

Alhassan, R.K., Aberese-Ako, M., Doegah, P.T. et al. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the adult population in Ghana: evidence from a pre-vaccination rollout survey. Trop Med Health 49, 96 (2021).

Malik, A., Malik, J., & Ishaq, U., Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine in Pakistan among health care workers. PloS one, (2021) 16(9), e0257237.

Yao M, Gu X, Mo Y, Xia C, Tang L. The Role of Health Education in Vaccination Nursing. J Healthc Eng. 2022 Apr 18;2022:6078846.

Figa Z, Temesgen T, Zemeskel AG, Ganta M, Alemu A, Abebe M, Ashuro Z. Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in Africa, systematic review and meta-analysis. Public Health Pract (Oxf). 2022 Nov 23;4:100343.

Kabamba Nzaji M, Kabamba Ngombe L, Ngoie Mwamba G, Banza Ndala DB, Mbidi Miema J, Luhata Lungoyo C, Lora Mwimba B, Cikomola Mwana Bene A, Mukamba Musenga E. Acceptability of Vaccination Against COVID-19 Among Healthcare Workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Pragmat Obs Res. 2020 Oct 29;11:103-109.

Papagiannis D, Malli F, Raptis DG, Papathanasiou IV, Fradelos EC, Daniil Z, Rachiotis G, Gourgoulianis KI. Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards New Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) of Health Care Professionals in Greece before the Outbreak Period. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jul 8;17(14):4925

Gagneux-Brunon A, Detoc M, Bruel S, Tardy B, Rozaire O, Frappe P, Botelho-Nevers E. Intention to get vaccinations against COVID-19 in French healthcare workers during the first pandemic wave: a cross-sectional survey. J Hosp Infect. 2021 Feb;108:168-173

Verger P, Fressard L, Collange F, Gautier A, Jestin C, Launay O, Raude J, Pulcini C, Peretti-Watel P. Vaccine Hesitancy Among General Practitioners and Its Determinants During Controversies: A National Cross-sectional Survey in France. EBioMedicine. 2015 Jun 23;2(8):891-7.

Al-Mohaithef M, Padhi BK. Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Saudi Arabia: A Web-Based National Survey. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2020 Nov 20;13:1657-1663.

Green-McKenzie J, Shofer FS, Momplaisir F, Kuter BJ, Kruse G, Bialal U, Behta M, O'Donnell J, Al-Ramahi N, Kasbekar N, Sullivan P, Okala P, Brennan PJ. Factors Associated With COVID-19 Vaccine Receipt by Health Care Personnel at a Major Academic Hospital During the First Months of Vaccine Availability. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Dec 1;4(12): e2136582.

Latkin CA, Dayton L, Yi G, Konstantopoulos A, Boodram B. Trust in a COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S.: A social-ecological perspective. Soc Sci Med. 2021 Feb;270:113684.

Vergara RJD, Sarmiento PJD, Lagman JDN. Building public trust: a response to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy predicament. J Public Health. 2021;43(2):e291–2.

Viswanath K, Bekalu M, Dhawan D, Pinnamaneni R, Lang J, McLoud R. Individual and social determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake. BMC Public Health. 2021;21(1):1–10.

Polit DF, Yang F. Measurement and the measurement of change: a primer for the health professions. Wolters Kluwer Philadelphia, PA; 2016.

Fakonti G, Kyprianidou M, Toumbis G, Giannakou K. Attitudes and Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination Among Nurses and Midwives in Cyprus: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Front Public Health. 2021 Jun 16;9:656138.

Lubad, M.A.; Abu-Helalah, M.A.; Alahmad, I.F.; Al-Tamimi, M.M.; QawaQzeh, M.S.; Al-kharabsheh, A.M.; Alzoubi, H.; Alnawafleh, A.H.; Kheirallah, K.A. Willingness of Healthcare Workers to Recommend or Receive a Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose: A Cross-Sectional Study from Jordan. Infect. Dis. Rep. 2023, 15, 210-221.