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Pre-Vaccination COVID-19 Vaccine Literacy in a Croatian Adult Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

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  • Ivana Gusar

    (Department of Health Studies, University of Zadar, 23000 Zadar, Croatia
    Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Suzana Konjevoda

    (Department of Health Studies, University of Zadar, 23000 Zadar, Croatia
    General Hospital Zadar, 23000 Zadar, Croatia)

  • Grozdana Babić

    (Department of Health Studies, University of Zadar, 23000 Zadar, Croatia)

  • Dijana Hnatešen

    (Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
    Clinical Department of Pain Management, University Hospital Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
    Nursing Institute “Professor Radivoje Radić”, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Maja Čebohin

    (Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
    Nursing Institute “Professor Radivoje Radić”, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
    Medical School Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Rahela Orlandini

    (Department of Health Studies, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
    School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia)

  • Boris Dželalija

    (Department of Health Studies, University of Zadar, 23000 Zadar, Croatia
    General Hospital Zadar, 23000 Zadar, Croatia
    School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia)

Abstract

Despite world-level efforts and the endeavors of scientists and medical professionals in suppressing the COVID-19 pandemic, inadequate levels of vaccine literacy of the general population can represent a grave obstacle. The aim of this study was to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine literacy in the Croatian adult general population before vaccination began. The specific objectives were to test differences regarding socio-demographic characteristics and to examine perceptions and attitudes about vaccination against COVID-19 considering the level of VL against COVID-19. A cross-sectional study with a translated and psychometrically tested questionnaire was conducted in 1227 participants before the start of vaccination, from 15 to 31 January 2021. The results show a medium level of vaccine literacy (M = 2.37, SD = 0.54) and a significant difference between functional and interactive-critical vaccine literacy ( p < 0.001). The level of vaccine literacy grew with the level of education ( p = 0.031) and reduced with age ( p < 0.001). Participants who were employed, had chronic diseases, took medicine, or consumed alcohol daily had a lower level of vaccine literacy. There is room for progress in the COVID-19 VL level for the adult population in Croatia, especially at the interactive-critical VL, which could have an important role in people accepting the vaccine against the COVID-19 disease. A satisfactory level of vaccine literacy in the population is necessary because it can contribute to the fight against the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Ivana Gusar & Suzana Konjevoda & Grozdana Babić & Dijana Hnatešen & Maja Čebohin & Rahela Orlandini & Boris Dželalija, 2021. "Pre-Vaccination COVID-19 Vaccine Literacy in a Croatian Adult Population: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-10, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:7073-:d:587229
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    Cited by:

    1. Chiara Cadeddu & Luca Regazzi & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi & Aldo Rosano & Brigid Unim & Robert Griebler & Thomas Link & Paola De Castro & Roberto D’Elia & Valeria Mastrilli & Luigi Palmieri, 2022. "The Determinants of Vaccine Literacy in the Italian Population: Results from the Health Literacy Survey 2019," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Michelle Engelbrecht & Christo Heunis & Gladys Kigozi, 2022. "COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in South Africa: Lessons for Future Pandemics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-13, May.
    3. Željko Pavić & Emma KovaÄ ević & Adrijana Å uljok & Juraj Jurlina & Maja MiÅ¡kulin & Aida Mujkić & Ivan MiÅ¡kulin, 2023. "The Deficit and Contextual Models of Vaccine Hesitancy: A Test of the Mediation Paths," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    4. Yihui Li & Yi Guo & Xusheng Wu & Qingyuan Hu & Dehua Hu, 2022. "The Development and Preliminary Application of the Chinese Version of the COVID-19 Vaccine Literacy Scale," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-17, October.

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