Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Assessment of Unvaccinated Adult In-patients Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination in a Tertiary Hospital in Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background. New variants of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue to emerge but the government is still struggling to counter vaccine hesitancy and misinformation to vaccinate populations to protective levels despite the advisories of staying up to date with its vaccinations to reduce risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. 

Objectives. This quantitative cross-sectional study aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding COVID-19 vaccination of unvaccinated adult patients admitted at Region II Trauma and Medical Center (R2TMC). This may help determine the knowledge gap regarding COVID-19 vaccination, address it, and to achieve the goal to vaccinate all eligible Filipinos. Furthermore, this may also be a springboard for future researches and management regarding novel infections needing new vaccinations. 

Methods. Collected data from the sample size of 197 using the formula for finite population with 95% confidence level, population proportion of 50%, population size of 400, allowing 5% margin of error were summarized in a Microsoft excel database and tables, then were analyzed using Jamovi version 2.6.22 software. Frequency, mean, and standard deviation were calculated to measure the knowledge, attitude, and practices; Pearson correlation and Kendall’s Tau b correlation for its relationship. 

Results. There is moderate level of knowledge (MS: 9.80-11.8), a positive attitude (MR: 2.35-2.60), and good preventive practices (MS: 12.00-13.00) regarding SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccination among the unvaccinated adult in-patients of R2TMC post-pandemic. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices statistically differed (p<0.05) specifically in those with higher educational attainment. 

Conclusion. There is a significant correlation among the knowledge of the respondents about COVID-19 vaccination, their attitude towards it, and their practices, implying that promoting preventive behaviors toward COVID-19 would require promoting both knowledge and efficacy beliefs among the public.