“COVID-19 vaccination and the mentally ill” – A comparative study on knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19 vaccine between patients with mental illness and their caregivers from Southern India

Abstract

Abstract Background: Patients with mental illness are at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 infection. Hence, there is a need to understand their awareness, attitude, and willingness to accept the novel COVID-19 vaccine as well as of their caregivers. Our study aimed to find the differences in knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of patients with mental illness and their caregivers toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Methodology: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among patients with clinically stable psychiatric illness and their age-matched caregivers at a tertiary hospital. A validated questionnaire was used to check their knowledge, attitude, perception, and motivation toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Assessment of functioning was made using the global assessment of functioning scale. Results: Four hundred and sixteen individuals were included (208 in each group). There was no statistically significant difference between patients and caregivers regarding knowledge scores. Patients with anxiety disorders showed higher mean knowledge scores, and those with substance use disorders showed lower mean knowledge scores. Majority of the patients were not aware of the name of the vaccine (60%) but were willing to take the vaccine (76%), felt vaccination to be safe (69%), agreed that the vaccine will be protective (71%) and believed that despite vaccination, COVID precautions have to be followed (89%). Conclusion: The knowledge, attitude, and willingness toward the COVID-19 vaccine were similar across patients and caregivers in contrast to expectations. Patients with substance use disorders must be given more information, with emphasis on vaccination implementation. Importantly, improving the caregivers’ awareness can further improve the vaccination rate among this vulnerable population.