Evaluation of the Covid-19 vaccine literacy of the undervaccinated community in a district in the Covid-19 pandemic: Pursaklar example

Abstract

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the reasons why individuals with incomplete Covid-19 vaccines in a district did not have their second dose of vaccine, even though they had their first dose of vaccine, and to evaluate their vaccine literacy. Methods: The research is a cross-sectional study conducted between August and October 2021. It was identified and the population of the research was determined. 192 people participated in the study with the sample calculation. In the questionnaire used in the research, there are 29 questions and three sections: demographic characteristics of the participants, their knowledge and attitudes about the Covid-19 vaccine and other vaccines, and the Covid-19 vaccine literacy scale. The scale consists of 12 statements and two dimensions. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests it was used as statistical methods in the study. Statistical significance value was accepted as p<0.05. Results: Among the reasons why the participants did not receive the second dose of vaccines, the most common reason was stated as “I didn’t have time/opportunity” with 51%. The Covid-19 vaccine literacy scale mean score of the participants was found to be 2.48±0.53. A difference was found between education status and Covid-19 vaccine literacy, and it was determined that there was an increase in vaccine literacy level as the education level increased. Conclusion: The mean score of the Covid-19 vaccine literacy scale was determined as 2.48±0.54 for the under-vaccinated participants who had the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, but did not receive the second dose. The Covid-19 vaccine literacy of the participants in the study is low. Increasing the vaccination literacy of individuals will make a positive contribution to their second dose vaccination.