Revisiting Snodgrass and Vanderwart in photograph form: The Keele Photo Stimulus Set (KPSS).

Over the last 40 years, object recognition studies have moved from using simple line drawings, to more detailed illustrations, to more ecologically valid photographic representations. Researchers now have access to various stimuli sets, however, existing sets lack the ability to independently manipulate item format, as the concepts depicted are unique to the set they derive from. To enable such comparisons, Rossion and Pourtois (2004) revisited Snodgrass and Vanderwart's (1980) line drawings and digitally re-drew the objects, adding texture and shading. In the current study, we took this further and created a set of stimuli that showcase the same objects in photographic form. We selected six photographs of each object (three color/three grayscale) and collected normative data and RTs. Naming accuracy and agreement was high for all photographs and appeared to steadily increase with format distinctiveness. In contrast to previous data patterns for drawings, naming agreement (H values) did not differ between grey and color photographs, nor did familiarity ratings. However, grey photographs received significantly lower mental imagery agreement and visual complexity scores than color photographs. This suggests that, in comparison to drawings, the ecological nature of photographs may facilitate deeper critical evaluation of whether they offer a good match to a mental representation. Color may therefore play a more vital role in photographs than in drawings, aiding participants in judging the match with their mental representation. This new photographic stimulus set and corresponding normative data provide valuable materials for a wide range of experimental studies of object recognition.

Human papillomavirus self-testing among unscreened and under-screened Maori, Pasifika and Asian women in Aotearoa New Zealand: A preference survey among responders and interviews with clinical-trial nonresponders.

INTRODUCTION: Maori, Pasifika and Asian women are less likely to attend cervical screening and Maori and Pasifika women are more likely to be diagnosed with later-stage cervical cancer than other women in Aotearoa New Zealand. This study-with under-screened women taking part in a randomized-controlled trial comparing self-testing and standard screening-explored the acceptability of a human papillomavirus (HPV) self-test kit and the preferred method for receiving it. METHODS: Maori, Pasifika and Asian women (N= 376) completed a cross-sectional postal questionnaire. Twenty-six women who had not accepted the trial invitation were interviewed to understand their reasons for nonparticipation. RESULTS: Most women found the self-test kit easy and convenient to use and reported that they did not find it painful, uncomfortable or embarrassing. This was reflected in the preference for a self-test over a future smear test on the same grounds. Most women preferred to receive the kit by mail and take the test themselves, rather than having it done by a doctor or nurse. There was a range of preferences relating to how to return the kit. Phone calls with nonresponders revealed that, although most had received the test kit, the reasons for not choosing to be involved included not wanting to, being too busy or forgetting. CONCLUSION: HPV self-testing was acceptable for Maori, Pasifika and Asian women in Aotearoa New Zealand. HPV self-testing has considerable potential to reduce the inequities in the current screening programme and should be made available with appropriate delivery options as soon as possible. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study explored the acceptability of HPV self-testing and their preferences for engaging with it among Maori, Pasifika and Asian women. Thus, women from these underserved communities were the participants and focus of this study.

Exploring the Impact of Mindfulness on False-Memory Susceptibility.

Wilson, Mickes, Stolarz-Fantino, Evrard, and Fantino (2015) presented data from three well-powered experiments suggesting that a brief mindfulness induction can increase false-memory susceptibility. However, we had concerns about some of the methodology, including whether mind wandering is the best control condition for brief mindfulness inductions. Here, we report the findings from a preregistered double-blind randomized controlled trial designed to replicate and extend Wilson et al.'s findings. Participants (N = 287) underwent 15-min mindfulness or mind-wandering inductions or completed a join-the-dots task before being presented with lists of words related to nonpresented critical lures. This was followed by free-recall and recognition tasks. There was no evidence for an effect of state of mind on correct or false recall or recognition. Furthermore, manipulation checks revealed that mindfulness and mind-wandering inductions activated overlapping states of mind. Exploratory analyses provided some support for mindfulness increasing false memory, but it appears that mind wandering may not be the right control for brief mindfulness research.

A survey of knowledge, attitudes and awareness of the human papillomavirus among healthcare professionals across the UK.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection implicated in 5% of cancers worldwide including most cervical cancer cases. In the UK, the HPV vaccine has been offered routinely to girls aged 11-13 since 2008 while cervical screening is offered to women aged 25-64. HPV testing will soon replace cytology as the primary screening method. This research evaluates what healthcare professionals (HCPs) across the UK know about HPV. METHODS: A total of 643 UK-based HCPs from primary and secondary care took part in an anonymous cross-sectional survey between March and April 2018. The survey measured general HPV knowledge; HPV triage and test of cure knowledge; HPV vaccine knowledge; attitudes to the HPV vaccine and self-perceived adequacy of knowledge. RESULTS: Participants had a generally good understanding of HPV and the vaccination but there were gaps in detailed knowledge of the National Health Service HPV testing processes. There were some gaps in knowledge about the health sequelae of HPV for males. Years since HPV training was associated with triage and test of cure and vaccine knowledge scores. Furthermore, nurses and doctors in colposcopy clinics had much greater odds of having higher knowledge across all domains than other roles. In total, 76.2% of participants felt adequately informed about HPV and 35.6% made suggestions for improvements in training, many of which requested additional frequency and topics. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that additional training is needed to ensure HCPs are equipped to deal with the changing landscape of HPV screening and vaccination in the UK.

HPV primary cervical screening in England: Women's awareness and attitudes.

BACKGROUND: Primary human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical screening is due to be implemented in England within the next 2 years; however, the acceptability of HPV testing as the primary screening test is unclear. This study explores women's awareness and attitudes toward HPV testing/screening. METHODS: Qualitative interviews (semistructured and focus group) were conducted with 46 women (aged 25-65 years) from community and secondary care settings. Data were analyzed by using the inductive-framework method. RESULTS: Women were unaware that cervical screening currently includes HPV testing and lacked HPV-related knowledge. Emotions of shock, fear, and anxiety were reported upon receiving a positive HPV result. For women in long-term relationships, the realization that HPV is a sexually transmitted infection was seen as a barrier to primary HPV testing. Knowledge that HPV testing is a screening test to prevent cervical cancer did not change their attitudes. Women debated the need for continued screening following a negative result. Women feared judgment by the community if they participated with primary HPV screening because they were being tested for a sexually transmitted infection, with the possible attendant perception that they had adopted a high-risk lifestyle in comparison to nonattenders. CONCLUSIONS: The acceptability of HPV testing may be a limiting factor in encouraging participation with screening in the future.

Psycho-social influences upon older women's decision to attend cervical screening: A review of current evidence.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide (WHO, 2016). In many developed countries the incidence of cervical cancer has been significantly reduced by the introduction of organised screening programmes however, in the UK, a fall in screening coverage is becoming a cause for concern. Much research attention has been afforded to younger women but age stratified mortality and incidence data suggest that older women's screening attendance is also worthy of study. This paper provides a review of current evidence concerning the psycho-social influences that older women experience when deciding whether to attend cervical screening. Few studies have focussed on older women and there are significant methodological issues with those that have included them in their samples. Findings from these studies indicate several barriers which may deter older women from screening, such as embarrassment and logistical issues. Drivers to screening include reassurance and a sense of obligation. Physical, social and emotional changes that occur as women age may also have an impact on attendance. This review concludes that there is a clear need for better understanding of the perceptions of older women specifically with regard to cervical cancer and screening. Future research should inform the design of targeted interventions and provision of information to enable informed decision-making regarding cervical screening among older women.

Knowledge of human papillomavirus and the human papillomavirus vaccine in European adolescents: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for adolescent girls in many European countries, however there is huge variation in vaccine uptake. METHODS: A mixed methods systematic review to ascertain the level of HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge that exists among European adolescents. Two electronic databases, Ovid Medline and PsychInfo, were searched from origin to September 2014. Meta-analysis was performed for the two primary outcome measures ('have you heard of HPV?' and 'have you heard of the HPV vaccine?'), assessing for the correlation between gender and knowledge. This was supplemented with meta-synthesis for the remaining associations and secondary outcomes. RESULTS: 18 papers were included in the final review. Overall European adolescents had poor understanding of basic HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge. Meta-analysis identified that female adolescents are more likely to have heard of HPV (n=2598/5028 girls versus n=1033/3464 boys; OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.86-3.99) and the HPV vaccine (n=1154/2556 girls versus n=392/2074 boys; OR 5.64, 95% CI 2.43-13.07), compared to males. Age, higher education and a positive vaccination status were also associated with increased awareness. There was limited appreciation of more detailed HPV knowledge and uncertainty existed regarding the level of protection offered by the vaccine and the need for cervical screening post vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: The delivery of HPV education to European adolescents needs to be re-evaluated, since at present there appears to be significant deficiencies in their basic knowledge and understanding of the subject. Increasing HPV knowledge will empower adolescents to make informed choices regarding participation with HPV related cancer prevention health strategies.

Awareness of Risk Factors for Breast, Lung and Cervical Cancer in a UK Student Population.

The objective of this study is to identify levels of risk awareness for breast, lung and cervical cancer, in a UK student population. A sample of male (N=62) and female (N=58) university students, mean age 21.62 years completed a questionnaire identifying which risk factors they knew for each cancer. Analysis of variance was used to compare differences in risk awareness across gender and cancer types. Risk factor awareness was highest for lung cancer (0.78), mid-range for breast cancer (0.61) and lowest for cervical cancer (0.47). Women had greater risk factor awareness (0.67) than males (0.57) across all three cancers. There is also significant belief in mythic risk factors such as stress (from 14 to 40% across the three cancers). Previous research has demonstrated that risk factor awareness increases with educational status, yet even in a university student population, in which the majority of females would have been offered the HPV vaccination, risk factor awareness for cancers is variable. More health education is needed particularly around the risk factors for cervical cancer.

The organisation of musical semantic memory: evidence from false memories for familiar songs.

By adapting a well-known paradigm for studying memory for words-the Deese-Roediger-McDermott or DRM paradigm (Deese, 1959, Roediger & McDermott, 1995)-the two experiments reported here explore memory for song titles and song clips. Participants were presented with five song titles (Experiment 1a) or five 30-second song clips (Experiment 1b) for each of nine popular artists (e.g., Robbie Williams). The most popular song identified for each artist in a pilot task was omitted from the sets of titles/clips. Following a distractor task, participants were asked to write down as many of the songs as they could recall. They were also asked to return a week later and complete a second recall task. Participants falsely recalled a significant number of the related but non-presented songs in both experiments and this increased a week later, while correct recall for presented items decreased. The results are discussed in terms of theory for musical memory as well as in the context of providing a novel method for exploring the organisation of musical memory.

UK paediatricians' attitudes towards the chicken pox vaccine: The SPOTTY study.

OBJECTIVES: An effective vaccine for chicken pox has been included in immunisation schedules since the 1990s. In the UK the recommendation for routine inclusion came in November 2023; it has not yet been implemented. We explored paediatricians' attitudes towards the vaccine and their personal and professional use; as this has been shown to be an influential factor in parents' vaccine decision making. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey using a structured questionnaire exploring attitudes and knowledge towards the chicken pox vaccine of UK based paediatricians between June and September 2023. RESULTS: We received 272 responses, 211 female (78%), 228 based in England (85%) with remainder in Wales (23), Scotland (8) and Northern Ireland (9); 150 (56%) reporting practicing paediatrics <10 years. The majority (n = 207; 78%) agreed that the chicken pox vaccine should be included in the UK routine schedule. Half the cohort, 52% (n = 135), reported having their own children vaccinated against chicken pox, 73% of those with appropriately aged children. Most, 86% (n = 225), recommended the vaccine to family and friends routinely or when asked; however, 42% (n = 108) did not feel able to advise patients' parents due to insufficient information. Of those who do not recommend the vaccine to family and friends, 22 (59%) reported insufficient information to discuss in a professional setting. Of those who did not think it should be included, or were unsure, 38/55 (69%) also felt they had insufficient information to advise parents regarding the vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst many paediatricians choose to vaccinate their children and agreed the chicken pox vaccine should be added to the routine schedule, the proportion disagreeing is not insignificant. Targeted education to improve paediatricians' knowledge of the chicken pox vaccine and their confidence discussing it should be implemented prior to the national roll out.

UK healthcare professionals' attitudes towards the introduction of varicella vaccine into the routine childhood vaccination schedule and their preferences for administration.

BACKGROUND: Varicella (chickenpox) is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Although typically mild, varicella can cause complications leading to severe illness and even death. Safe and effective varicella vaccines are available. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has reviewed the evidence and recommended the introduction of varicella vaccine into the UK's routine childhood immunisation schedule. OBJECTIVES: To explore UK healthcare professionals' (HCPs) knowledge and attitudes towards varicella vaccination, its introduction to the UK routine childhood immunisation schedule, and their preferences for how it should be delivered. DESIGN: We conducted an online cross-sectional survey exploring HCPs' attitudes towards varicella, varicella vaccine, and their preferences for delivery of the vaccine between August and September 2022 prior to the recommendation that varicella vaccine should be introduced. PARTICIPANTS: 91 HCPs working in the UK (81 % nurses/health visitors, 9 % doctors, 10 % researcher/other, mean age 48.7 years). RESULTS: All respondents agreed or strongly agreed that vaccines are important for a child's health. However, only 58% agreed or strongly agreed that chicken pox was a disease serious enough to warrant vaccination. Gaps in knowledge about varicella were revealed: 21.0% of respondents disagreed or were unsure that chickenpox can cause serious complications, while 41.8% were unsure or did not believe chickenpox was serious enough to vaccinate against. After receiving some basic information about chickenpox and the vaccine, almost half of the HCPs (47.3%) in our survey would prefer to administer the varicella vaccine combined with MMR. CONCLUSIONS: Given the positive influence of HCPs on parents' decisions to vaccinate their children, it is important to understand HCPs' views regarding the introduction of varicella vaccine into the routine schedule. Our findings highlighted areas for training and HCPs' preferences which will have implications for policy and practice when the vaccine is introduced.

False recall and recognition of brand names increases over time.

Using the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm, participants are presented with lists of associated words (e.g., bed, awake, night). Subsequently, they reliably have false memories for related but nonpresented words (e.g., SLEEP). Previous research has found that false memories can be created for brand names (e.g., Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, and TESCO). The present study investigates the effect of a week's delay on false memories for brand names. Participants were presented with lists of brand names followed by a distractor task. In two between-subjects experiments, participants completed a free recall task or a recognition task either immediately or a week later. In two within-subjects experiments, participants completed a free recall task or a recognition task both immediately and a week later. Correct recall for presented list items decreased over time, whereas false recall for nonpresented lure items increased. For recognition, raw scores revealed an increase in false memory across time reflected in an increase in Remember responses. Analysis of Pr scores revealed that false memory for lures stayed constant over a week, but with an increase in Remember responses in the between-subjects experiment and a trend in the same direction in the within-subjects experiment. Implications for theories of false memory are discussed.

Parental acceptance of and preferences for administration of routine varicella vaccination in the UK: A study to inform policy.

OBJECTIVES: To explore acceptability of and preferences for the introduction of varicella vaccination to the UK childhood immunisation schedule. DESIGN: We conducted an online cross-sectional survey exploring parental attitudes towards vaccines in general, and varicella vaccine specifically, and their preferences for how the vaccine should be administered. PARTICIPANTS: 596 parents (76.3% female, 23.3% male, 0.4% other; mean age 33.4 years) whose youngest child was aged 0-5 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Willingness to accept the vaccine for their child and preferences for how the vaccine should be administered (in combination with the MMR vaccine [MMRV], on the same day as the MMR vaccine but as a separate injection [MMR + V], on a separate additional visit). RESULTS: 74.0% of parents (95% CI 70.2% to 77.5%) were extremely/somewhat likely to accept a varicella vaccine for their child if one became available, 18.3% (95% CI 15.3% to 21.8%) were extremely/somewhat unlikely to accept it and 7.7% (95% CI 5.7% to 10.2%) were neither likely nor unlikely. Reasons provided by parents likely to accept the vaccine included protection from complications of chickenpox, trust in the vaccine/healthcare professionals, and wanting their child to avoid their personal experience of chickenpox. Reasons provided by parents who were unlikely included chickenpox not being a serious illness, concern about side effects, and believing it is preferable to catch chickenpox as a child rather than as an adult. A combined MMRV vaccination or additional visit to the surgery were preferred over an additional injection at the same visit. CONCLUSIONS: Most parents would accept a varicella vaccination. These findings highlight parents' preferences for varicella vaccine administration, information needed to inform vaccine policy and practice and development of a communication strategy.

Psychosocial factors affecting COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the UK: A prospective cohort study (CoVAccS - Wave 3).

Background: We investigated factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake, future vaccination intentions, and changes in beliefs and attitudes over time. Methods: Prospective cohort study. 1500 participants completed an online survey in January 2021 (T1, start of vaccine rollout in the UK), of whom 1148 (response rate 76.5 %) completed another survey in October 2021 (T2, all UK adults offered two vaccine doses). Binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate factors associated with subsequent vaccine uptake. Content analysis was used to investigate the main reasons behind future vaccine intentions (T2). Changes in beliefs and attitudes were investigated using analysis of variance. Findings: At T2, 90.0 % (95 % CI 88.2-91.7 %) of participants had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, 2.2 % (95 % CI 1.3-3.0 %) had received one dose, and 7.4 % (95 % CI 5.9-8.9 %) had not been vaccinated. Uptake was associated with higher intention to be vaccinated at T1, greater perceived vaccination social norms, necessity of vaccination, and perceived safety of the vaccine. People who had initiated vaccination reported being likely to complete it, while those who had not yet received a vaccine reported being unlikely to be vaccinated in the future. At T2, participants perceived greater susceptibility to, but lower severity of, COVID-19 (p < 0.001) than at T1. Perceived safety and adequacy of vaccine information were higher (p < 0.001). Interpretation: Targeting modifiable beliefs about the safety and effectiveness of vaccination may increase uptake.

Psychological factors associated with reporting side effects following COVID-19 vaccination: A prospective cohort study (CoVAccS - Wave 3).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate symptom reporting following the first and second COVID-19 vaccine doses, attribution of symptoms to the vaccine, and factors associated with symptom reporting. METHODS: Prospective cohort study (T1: 13-15 January 2021, T2: 4-15 October 2021). Participants were aged 18 years or older, living in the UK. Personal, clinical, and psychological factors were investigated at T1. Symptoms were reported at T2. We used logistic regression analyses to investigate associations. RESULTS: After the first COVID-19 vaccine dose, 74.1% (95% CI 71.4% to 76.7%, n = 762/1028) of participants reported at least one injection-site symptom, while 65.0% (95% CI 62.0% to 67.9%, n = 669/1029) reported at least one other (non-injection-site) symptom. Symptom reporting was associated with being a woman and younger. After the second dose, 52.9% (95% CI 49.8% to 56.0%, n = 532/1005) of participants reported at least one injection-site symptom and 43.7% (95% CI 40.7% to 46.8%, n = 440/1006) reported at least one other (non-injection-site) symptom. Symptom reporting was associated with having reported symptoms after the first dose, having an illness that put one at higher risk of COVID-19 (non-injection-site symptoms only), and not believing that one had enough information about COVID-19 to make an informed decision about vaccination (injection-site symptoms only). CONCLUSIONS: Women and younger people were more likely to report symptoms from vaccination. People who had reported symptoms from previous doses were also more likely to report symptoms subsequently, although symptom reporting following the second vaccine was lower than following the first vaccine. Few psychological factors were associated with symptom reporting.

HPV vaccination and cervical screening: the knowledge and attitudes of mothers of adolescent girls.

OBJECTIVE: Mothers play a significant role in decision making about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for their daughters and about cervical screening attendance for themselves. This study had three objectives, to explore: (1) mothers' knowledge and attitudes about HPV and HPV vaccination, (2) their knowledge and attitudes about cervical cancer and screening, and (3) whether their daughter's HPV vaccination invitation was an opportunity to nudge mothers to attend screening. DESIGN: 138 women from North Staffordshire completed a cross-sectional survey and 15 took part in follow-up focus groups. RESULTS: Despite high self-reported engagement with both the cervical screening and HPV vaccination programmes, relatively low levels of knowledge and some uncertainty were evident. There was mixed opinion about the potential of using the vaccination invite as an opportunity to nudge mothers to attend cervical screening. CONCLUSION: Even amongst women who do engage positively with the programmes, knowledge is not as complete and certain as it could be. Further research is needed with women who are less likely to accept the vaccination for their daughters. Women need to be better informed, which may go some way to reversing the decline in screening and maintaining high levels of vaccination.

Parents' intention to vaccinate their child for COVID-19: A mixed-methods study (CoVAccS-wave 3).

AIM: To investigate UK parents' vaccination intention at a time when COVID-19 vaccination was available to some children. METHODS: Data reported are from the second wave of a prospective cohort study. We conducted a mixed-methods study using an online survey of 270 UK parents (conducted 4-15 October 2021). At this time, vaccination was available to 16- and 17-year-olds and had become available to 12- to 15-year-olds two weeks prior. We asked participants whose child had not yet been vaccinated how likely they were to vaccinate their child for COVID-19. Linear regression analyses were used to investigate factors associated with intention (quantitative component). Parents were also asked for their main reasons behind vaccination intention. Open-ended responses were analysed using content analysis (qualitative component). RESULTS: Parental vaccination intention was mixed (likely: 39.3%, 95% CI 32.8%, 45.7%; uncertain: 33.9%, 95% CI 27.7%, 40.2%; unlikely: 26.8%, 95% CI 20.9%, 32.6%). Intention was associated with: parental COVID-19 vaccination status; greater perceived necessity and social norms regarding COVID-19 vaccination; greater COVID-19 threat appraisal; and lower vaccine safety and novelty concerns. In those who intended to vaccinate their child, the main reasons for doing so were to protect the child and others. In those who did not intend to vaccinate their child, the main reason was safety concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Parent COVID-19 vaccination status and psychological factors explained a large percentage of the variance in vaccination intention for one's child. Further study is needed to see whether parents' intention to vaccinate their child is affected by fluctuating infection rates, more children being vaccinated, and the UK's reliance on vaccination as a strategy to live with COVID-19.

Side-effect expectations from COVID-19 vaccination: Findings from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey (CoVAccS - wave 2).

OBJECTIVES: Concern about side effects is one of the most common reasons for refusing vaccination. Side-effect expectations are known to predict perception of side effects. We aimed to investigate the percentage of people who thought side effects from COVID-19 vaccination were likely and investigate factors associated with side-effect expectation. METHODS: Online cross-sectional survey of 1470 UK adults who had not been vaccinated for COVID-19 (conducted 13 to 15 January 2021). We asked participants how likely they thought side effects from COVID-19 vaccination were. Linear regression analyses were used to investigate associations with side-effect expectations. RESULTS: Most participants were uncertain whether they would experience side effects from a COVID-19 vaccine; only a minority reported that side effects were very likely (9.4%, 95% CI 7.9% to 10.9%, n = 138/1470). Personal and clinical characteristics, general, and COVID-19 vaccination beliefs and attitudes explained 29.7% of the variance in side-effect expectation, with COVID-19 vaccination beliefs alone accounting for 17.2%. Side-effect expectations were associated with: older age, being clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19, being afraid of needles, lower perceived social norms for COVID-19 vaccination, lower perceived necessity and safety of COVID-19 vaccination, and perceived lack of information about COVID-19 and vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Side-effect expectation was associated with believing that COVID-19 vaccination was unsafe, ineffective and that others would be less likely to approve of you having a COVID-19 vaccination. Communications should emphasise the safety, effectiveness, and widespread uptake of vaccination, while promoting accurate perceptions of the incidence of vaccination side effects.

Intention to have the seasonal influenza vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic among eligible adults in the UK: a cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the likelihood of having the seasonal influenza vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals who were eligible to receive it. DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey in July 2020. We included predictors informed by previous research, in the following categories: sociodemographic variables; uptake of influenza vaccine last winter and beliefs about vaccination. PARTICIPANTS: 570 participants (mean age: 53.07; 56.3% female, 87.0% white) who were eligible for the free seasonal influenza vaccination in the UK. RESULTS: 59.7% of our sample indicated they were likely to have the seasonal influenza vaccination, 22.1% reported being unlikely to have the vaccination and 18.2% were unsure. We used logistic regression to investigate variables associated with intention to receive a seasonal influenza vaccine in the 2020-2021 season. A positive attitude to vaccination in general predicted intention to have the influenza vaccine in 2020-2021 (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.77, p<0.001) but the strongest predictor of intention was previous influenza vaccination behaviour (OR 278.58, 95% CI 78.04 to 994.46, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Previous research suggests that increasing uptake of the influenza vaccination may help contain a COVID-19 outbreak, so steps need to be taken to convert intention into behaviour and to reach those individuals who reported being unlikely or unsure about having the vaccine.

A mixed-methods study to assess COVID-19 vaccination acceptability among university students in the United Arab Emirates.

To effectively achieve herd immunity against COVID-19, a substantial proportion of a population would need to be vaccinated. However, vaccine hesitancy and refusal are significant issues globally. This mixed-methods study aimed to investigate university students' attitudes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) toward the COVID-19 vaccination, determine the factors associated with vaccine hesitancy, and understand the underlying reasons. We conducted an online survey between 16th-24th February 2021 in 669 students from the University of Sharjah (UAE) and semi-structured qualitative interviews with a subsample of 11 participants. Data on COVID-19 vaccine intention and uptake, risk perception, beliefs and attitudes toward the disease and the vaccine were collected. Multinomial logistic regression was applied and thematic content analysis was conducted with qualitative data. Overall, 31.8% of students demonstrated vaccine hesitancy; 24.4% of students reported a high intention to get the vaccine, and 43.8% were already vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy was associated with less positive beliefs and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine (AdjOR = 0.557;95%CI 0.468-0.662), high perceived adverse effects (AdjOR = 1.736;95%CI 1.501-2.007), and not perceiving easy access to a vaccination center (AdjOR = 0.820;95%CI 0.739-0.909). The main reasons underlying vaccine hesitancy were related to uncertainty about the effectiveness of the vaccine, knowledge about negative experiences from vaccination among family and/or community, overvaluing the risks of the vaccine in relation to the potential benefits, and not perceiving immunization as a social norm. To increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake, interventions to reduce hesitancy could focus on reducing fears about adverse effects and highlighting individual and societal benefits of the vaccination.