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Societal Trust Related to COVID-19 Vaccination: Evidence from Western Balkans

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  • Smiljana Cvjetkovic

    (Department of Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Euro Health Group, A/S (Denmark), Regional Office in Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Vida Jeremic Stojkovic

    (Department of Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Euro Health Group, A/S (Denmark), Regional Office in Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Stefan Mandic-Rajcevic

    (Euro Health Group, A/S (Denmark), Regional Office in Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Sanja Matovic-Miljanovic

    (Euro Health Group, A/S (Denmark), Regional Office in Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Janko Jankovic

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Aleksandra Jovic Vranes

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Aleksandar Stevanovic

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Zeljka Stamenkovic

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

Abstract

The lower rates of COVID-19 vaccination in Western Balkans countries could be partially explained by societal distrust of its citizens, jeopardizing the sustainability of COVID-19 vaccination programs. The aim of the study was to determine the level and predictors of societal trust in five countries of the region. Using an online questionnaire, data were obtained from 1157 respondents from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The instrument included a socio-demographic questionnaire, a measure of vaccination behavior, and a scale measuring societal trust. Being a significant determinant of the COVID-19 vaccination behavior in all countries, societal trust considerably varied from country to country (F (24, 4002) = 7.574, p < 0.001). It was highest in North Macedonia (Mean = 3.74, SD = 0.99), and lowest in Albania (Mean = 3.21, SD = 1.03). Younger, female, less religious, and higher educated tended to have more pronounced societal trust in Serbia. In North Macedonia, younger age and lower health literacy predicted societal trust, while in Bosnia and Herzegovina, educational level was the single predictor. In Montenegro and Albania, higher societal trust was significantly predicted by lower health literacy only. The results provide evidence that the determinants of societal trust in Western Balkans vary across countries, indicating the need for different approaches in communication campaigns.

Suggested Citation

  • Smiljana Cvjetkovic & Vida Jeremic Stojkovic & Stefan Mandic-Rajcevic & Sanja Matovic-Miljanovic & Janko Jankovic & Aleksandra Jovic Vranes & Aleksandar Stevanovic & Zeljka Stamenkovic, 2022. "Societal Trust Related to COVID-19 Vaccination: Evidence from Western Balkans," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-11, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:20:p:13547-:d:947743
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    References listed on IDEAS

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