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Religiosity and Beliefs toward COVID-19 Vaccination among Adults in Puerto Rico

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  • Andrea López-Cepero

    (Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

  • McClaren Rodríguez

    (Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburg, Pittsburg, PA 15261, USA)

  • Veronica Joseph

    (Department of Behavioral, Social and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

  • Shakira F. Suglia

    (Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

  • Vivian Colón-López

    (Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00792, Puerto Rico)

  • Yiana G. Toro-Garay

    (Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan 00921, Puerto Rico)

  • María D. Archevald-Cansobre

    (Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan 00921, Puerto Rico)

  • Emma Fernández-Repollet

    (Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan 00921, Puerto Rico)

  • Cynthia M. Pérez

    (Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan 00921, Puerto Rico)

Abstract

Religiosity may influence COVID-19 vaccination. However, it remains unclear how religiosity is associated with beliefs toward COVID-19 and vaccination against it, particularly amongst ethnic minorities. This study examined the association between religiosity, vaccination intent, beliefs, and attitudes related to COVID-19 and vaccination among adults in Puerto Rico. Data from an online survey conducted between December 2020–February 2021 among adults (≥18 yr; n = 1895) residing in Puerto Rico were used. Rating of the importance of religiosity was used to capture the level of religiosity (‘less important’, ‘somewhat important’, ‘important’, and ‘very important’). The health belief model (HBM) assessed beliefs and attitudes toward COVID-19 and vaccination against it. Adjusted Poisson models with robust error variance estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals for vaccination intent and individual COVID-19 HBM constructs. Compared to individuals rating religiosity as ‘less important’ to them, those rating it as ‘very important’ were more likely to be unwilling or uncertain to get the COVID-19 vaccine (PR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.10–2.05). Higher ratings of importance of religiosity, compared to the lowest level, were associated with significantly lower perceived COVID-19 susceptibility, more vaccine barriers, and lower vaccine benefits (all p < 0.05). Individuals who reported religiosity being very important to them were more likely to report that they will get the COVID-19 vaccine only if given adequate information about it (PR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.02–1.27) and more likely to get the vaccine if more people decide to receive it (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest an association between religiosity and COVID-19 vaccination intent and beliefs and attitudes toward vaccination. The study highlights important guidelines for public health campaigns to increase vaccine uptake among religious communities in Puerto Rico.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea López-Cepero & McClaren Rodríguez & Veronica Joseph & Shakira F. Suglia & Vivian Colón-López & Yiana G. Toro-Garay & María D. Archevald-Cansobre & Emma Fernández-Repollet & Cynthia M. Pérez, 2022. "Religiosity and Beliefs toward COVID-19 Vaccination among Adults in Puerto Rico," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11729-:d:917371
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yulan Lin & Zhijian Hu & Qinjian Zhao & Haridah Alias & Mahmoud Danaee & Li Ping Wong, 2020. "Understanding COVID-19 vaccine demand and hesitancy: A nationwide online survey in China," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Jamie Murphy & Frédérique Vallières & Richard P. Bentall & Mark Shevlin & Orla McBride & Todd K. Hartman & Ryan McKay & Kate Bennett & Liam Mason & Jilly Gibson-Miller & Liat Levita & Anton P. Martine, 2021. "Psychological characteristics associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in Ireland and the United Kingdom," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
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