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Factors Associated with Limited Vaccine Literacy: Lessons Learnt from COVID-19.
Engelbrecht, Michelle C; Kigozi, N Gladys; Heunis, J Christo.
  • Engelbrecht MC; Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
  • Kigozi NG; Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
  • Heunis JC; Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
Vaccines (Basel) ; 10(6)2022 May 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1869869
ABSTRACT
Compared to many other developed countries, South Africa has a lower uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations. Although not widely researched, there is evidence that vaccine literacy (VL) is positively associated with vaccination uptake. Therefore, this study aimed to assess levels of VL among the adult population in South Africa, as well as to identify factors associated with limited VL. A cross-sectional, anonymous online survey was conducted during September 2021. The survey, which included the standardized Health Literacy about Vaccination in adulthood (HLVa) Scale, was widely advertised, yielding a total of 10,466 respondents. The average scores for the two HLVa sub-scales were relatively high functional (M = 2.841, SD 0.799) and interactive-critical (M = 3.331, SD 0.559) VL. A proposed 'limited' VL score (score value ≤ 2.50) was observed in 40% of respondents for functional literacy and 8.2% of respondents for interactive-critical literacy. The main factors associated with limited VL included lower levels of education, lower socio-economic status, not being vaccinated against COVID-19, self-identifying as Black/African or Colored (i.e., people of mixed ethnic descent), having poorer health, and being a woman. The significant association between VL and vaccination uptake provides an impetus for policy makers such as the South African Department of Health to promote VL in the attempt to increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Vaccines Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Vaccines10060865

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Vaccines Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Vaccines10060865