The Vaccination Fear Scale (VFS-6): Adaptation, Cross-Cultural Validation, and Invariance among Genders and Six Different Cultures, Applying Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT).

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a meaningful impact on several areas of human activity. With respect to psychological assessment, the requirements to study the fear of vaccination as a means to diminish negative behaviour towards vaccination had been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the factorial invariance of the six-item Vaccination Fear Scale (VFS-6) across individuals and cultures. To achieve this goal, a sample of university students was recruited (n = 2535; mean age = 20.59, SD = 2.04; males: 26.75%, females: 73.25%) from Spain (n = 388; 15.3%), Italy (n = 376; 14.83%), Lebanon (n = 487; 19.21%), Nigeria (n = 561; 22.13%), Turkey (n = 410; 16.17%), and Ukraine (n = 313; 12.34%). The results showed that the most appropriate factorial structure, exhibiting excellent fit indices, was a model with two correlated factors (cognitive symptoms: items 1, 2, and 4; somatic symptoms: items 3, 5, and 6) for both the total sample and individual samples from each country and language (Spanish, Italian, Arabic, English, Turkish, and Ukrainian). Notably, the VFS-6 demonstrated configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariance across sex. Regarding countries and languages, configural invariance was observed between them. Also, metric invariance was observed between Spain, Italy, and Ukraine and between Lebanon, Nigeria, and Turkey, which indicates the presence of two well-differentiated groups of countries and the possibility of inferential analysis between them. Item Response Theory analysis suggested an appropriate level of discrimination and difficulty of the test. These significant findings lay the groundwork for future investigations into vaccination fear across diverse cultural backgrounds, providing valuable insights for addressing vaccination-related concerns worldwide.

Needle-related Fear versus Vaccination Fear, Vaccination Intention, and Declared Reasons for Avoiding Vaccination / El miedo a la aguja frente al temor a la vacunación, la intención de vacunarse y los motivos alegados para evitarlo

This study seeks to analyse the relationship between needle-related fear (NF) and vaccination fear (VF), vaccination intention (VI), and the most commonly declared reasons for avoiding vaccination (RAV). The aim was to expand the information on the subject in a pandemic context. Just before starting the vaccination plan. A cross-sectional survey was applied to a sample (N = 2,175) of adult Spanish citizens (37.60 ± 12.98 years), of both sexes (women: 67.3%). Descriptive, correlational, and regression analysis was carried out. For NF, the prevalence was 5.1%, with being a woman, aged between 20 and 40 years old, and without dependents in charge as risk factors. NF presented low but significant relationships with VF, VI, and RAVs (except the one related to vaccine efficacy). This relationship was positive with NF and RAVs and negative with VI. The results are discussed. Actions in NF are recommended to reduce VF and RAVs and increase VI. (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la relación entre el miedo a la aguja (MA) y el miedo a la vacunación (MV), la intención de vacunarse (IV) y los motivos más comúnmente alegados para evitarlo (MEV). Se pretende ampliar la información sobre el tema en un contexto de pandemia. Justo antes de iniciar el plan de vacunación. Se aplicó una encuesta transversal a una muestra (N = 2,175) de ciudadanos españoles adultos (37.60 ± 12.98 años), de ambos sexos (mujeres: 67.3%). Se realizó análisis descriptivo, correlacional y de regresión. Para el MV la prevalencia fue de 5.1%, siendo factores de riesgo ser mujer, entre 20 y 40 años y sin dependientes a cargo. La relación entre MA y MV, IV y MEV (excepto la relacionada con la eficacia de la vacuna) era escasa aunque significativa. Esta relación fue positiva con el MA y los MEV y negativa con el MV. Se comentan los resultados y se recomienda actuar sobre el MA para reducir el MV y los MEV y aumentar la IV. (AU)

[Fear and beliefs about vaccination in compulsory education teachers during the covid-19 pandemic.] / Miedo y creencias sobre la vacunación en docentes de enseñanza obligatoria durante la pandemia por COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Schools can help to restore confidence in vaccines by providing reliable information to their students. To do this, teachers must be willing to convey a pro-vaccination message. In this context, know the fear and beliefs about vaccination of the teachers may be appropriate. METHODS: An online cross-sectional study was carried out, in December 2020, on active teachers from the autonomous community of Catalonia (Spain). The sample included 1507 subjects, men (23.4%) and women (76.6%), aged 21 to 66 years, from preschool (21.1%), primary (41.9%) and secondary (37%) levels. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Vaccination Fear Scale VFS-6, and a questionnaire on vaccines and vaccination beliefs were administered. Univariate and descriptive data analysis was performed. RESULTS: In this study, only 45.3% of the teachers did not show vaccination fear; data consistent with a high proportion of teachers who did not believe they should be vaccinated (27.3%) or who hesitate about the need to do so (24.4%), regardless of the high perception of the disease severity or belonging to a risk group. With high percentages (>50%) of teachers who did not believe, or doubt, about the safety and usefulness of vaccines; and less significant but important percentages that indicated distrust in pharmaceutical companies and in the government. Being a woman, young and a preschool education teacher, followed by primary education, were risk factors for vaccination refusal. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows high rates of fear and mistrust towards vaccines in teachers.

OBJETIVO: Los centros educativos pueden ayudar a restablecer la confianza en las vacunas proporcionando información de confianza a sus alumnos. Para ello, los docentes deben estar dispuestos a transmitir un mensaje provacunación. En este contexto, se consideró adecuado conocer el miedo y las creencias sobre la vacunación de los docentes. METODOS: Se efectuó un estudio transversal en línea, en diciembre de 2020, a docentes en activo de la comunidad autónoma de Cataluña (España). La muestra incluyó 1.507 sujetos, hombres (23,4%) y mujeres (76,6%), de 21 a 66 años de edad, de educación infantil (21,1%), primaria (41,9%) y secundaria (37%). Se administró un cuestionario sociodemográfico, la Escala de Miedo a la Vacunación (VFS-6) y un cuestionario de creencias sobre las vacunas y la vacunación. Se efectuó análisis univariado y descriptivo de datos. RESULTADOS: En este estudio, solo el 45,3% de los docentes no presentó miedo a la vacunación, dato concordante con una alta proporción de docentes que no creyeron que debían vacunarse (27,3%) o que vacilaron sobre la necesidad de hacerlo (24,4%), independientemente de la alta percepción de la gravedad de la enfermedad o de pertenecer a un grupo de riesgo. Con altos porcentajes (>50%) de docentes que no creían o dudaban de la seguridad y utilidad de las vacunas; y porcentajes menos significativos pero importantes que desconfiaban de las industrias farmacéuticas y del Gobierno, siendo factores de riesgo de rechazo de la vacunación ser mujer, joven y docente de Educación Infantil, seguido de la Educación Primaria. CONCLUSIONES: El estudio muestra altos índices de miedo y desconfianza hacia las vacunas en los docentes.

Miedo y creencias sobre la vacunación en docentes de enseñanza obligatoria durante la pandemia por COVID-19 / Fear and beliefs about vaccination in compulsory education teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Fundamentos: Los centros educativos pueden ayudar a restablecer la confianza en las vacunas pro- porcionando información de confianza a sus alum- nos. Para ello, los docentes deben estar dispuestos a transmitir un mensaje provacunación. En este contexto, se consideró adecuado conocer el miedo y lascreencias sobre la vacunación de los docentes. Métodos: Se efectuó un estudio transversal en línea, en diciembre de 2020, a docentes en activo de la comunidad autónoma de Cataluña (España). La muestra incluyó 1.507 sujetos, hombres (23,4%) y mujeres (76,6%), de 21 a 66 años de edad, de educación infantil (21,1%), primaria (41,9%) y secun- daria (37%). Se administró un cuestionario sociodemográfico, la Escala de Miedo a la Vacunación(VFS-6) y un cuestionario de creencias sobre las vacunas y la vacunación. Se efectuó análisis univariado y descriptivo de datos. Resultados: En este estudio, solo el 45,3% de los docentes no presentó miedo a la vacunación, dato concordante con una alta proporción de docentes que no creyeron que debían vacunarse (27,3%)o que vacilaron sobre la necesidad de hacerlo (24,4%), independientemente de la alta percepción de la gravedad de la enfermedad o de pertenecer a un grupo de riesgo. Con altos porcentajes (>50%) de docentes que no creían o dudaban de la seguridad y utilidad de las vacunas; y porcentajes menos significativos pero importantes que desconfiaban de las industrias farmacéuticas y del Gobierno, siendo factores de riesgo de rechazo de la vacunación ser mujer, joven y docente de Educación Infantil, seguido de la Educación Primaria. Conclusiones: El estudio muestra altos índi- ces de miedo y desconfianza hacia las vacunas en los docentes.(AU)

Background: Schools can help to restore confidence in vaccines by providing reliable information to their students. To do this, teachers must be willing to convey a pro-vaccination message. In this context, know the fear and beliefs about vaccination of the teachers may be appropriate. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was carried out, in December 2020, on active teachers from the autonomous community of Catalonia (Spain). The sample included 1507 subjects, men (23.4%) and women (76.6%), aged 21 to 66 years, from preschool (21.1%), primary (41.9%) and secondary (37%) levels. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Vaccination Fear Scale VFS-6, and a questionnaire on vaccines and vaccination beliefs were administered. Univariate and descriptive data analysis was performed. Results: In this study, only 45.3% of the teachers did not show vaccination fear; data consistent with a high proportion of teachers who did not be- lieve they should be vaccinated (27.3%) or who he- sitate about the need to do so (24.4%), regardless of the high perception of the disease severity or belonging to a risk group. With high percentages (>50%)of teachers who did not believe, or doubt, about the safety and usefulness of vaccines; and less significant but important percentages that indicated distrust in pharmaceutical companies and in the government. Being a woman, young and a preschool education teacher, followed by primary education, were risk factors for vaccination refusal. Conclusions: The study shows high rates of fear and mistrust towards vaccines in teachers.(AU)

Biological correlates of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) in cardiovascular disease and healthy community subjects.

This research studies the relationship between Alexithymia, behavioural, biometric, biochemical and cardiovascular risk in clinical and healthy samples. There were 602 participants (mean age of 52.82 ± 10.59) divided into two groups. The first was made up of 202 patients (165 males and 37 females) who had suffered a cardiovascular disease (CVD), while the second was composed of 400 (285 males and 115 females) healthy volunteers without CVD diagnosis. A cardiovascular risk index (CRI) was developed with the high factorial loading of the following variables: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol/HDL, triglycerides, body mass index, glucose and alcohol and tobacco consumption. The results showed a significant correlation between Alexithymia and the CRI. After controlling for age, sex, occupation, alcohol and tobacco consumption, this correlation decreased, but remained significant for most values. Alexithymia predicted 6% of CRI in the entire sample, once age and sex effect were discounted. Alexithymic subjects with scores above a cut-off point set at higher than 60 had higher levels of glucose, systolic, diastolic, cholesterol/HDL and cardiovascular risk. We discuss that Alexithymia scores contribute to cardiovascular risk, supporting previous findings.