The effect of Health Literacy on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: The Moderating Role of Stress

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 vaccine is an essential means to establish group immunity and prevent the spread of the pandemic. However, the public’s hesitation has created major difficulties to the promotion of the vaccine. By investigating the relationship between health literacy and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, as well as the potential moderating role of stress, the present study would provide critical insights for tailoring vaccine-promotion strategies.ObjectiveThe two-fold research purpose is: i) address the effect of health literacy on people’s attitude toward COVID-19 vaccine, ii) clarify the role of stress in this effect.MethodsWith structured questionnaires, an online survey was conducted to evaluate general public’s COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, health literacy, and perceived stress. In total, 560 responses were collected, and moderated regression analysis was conducted to test the effect of health literacy on vaccine hesitancy among people with different levels of stress.ResultsA total of 560 participants aged over 18 years were included in this study. About 39.8% of the respondents reported vaccine hesitancy, and this rate is higher among those aged 20-30 years old (83%) and female (71.3%). The results showed people with higher level of health literacy are less likely to have vaccine hesitancy (β =-2.00, 95%CI= [-3.00∼ -0.99]). However, this effect was only among those with lower to moderate level of stress (β =-3.43, p<0.001), among the people with high stress, no significant effect of health literacy was found (β =-0.53, p>0.05).ConclusionsBy focusing on the effect of health literacy on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, the findings showed education program increasing individual’s health literacy may also effectively reduce the public’s vaccine hesitancy and promote accepting attitude. However, for people with high level of stress, other health programs need to be developed to enhance their positive attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine. In conclusion, promotion strategies should be tailored for different populations, with considering individual factors such as health literacy and stress.