Perception of Heath Care Providers About COVID-19 and Its Vaccination in Saudi Arabia: Cross-Sectional Study

• Main Authors: Alhofaian A, Tunsi A, Alaamri MM, Babkair LA, Almalki GA, Alsadi SM, Saeed Alharthi S, Almarhabi GA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2021-09-01
• Series: Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
• Subjects: healthcare providers; vaccination; saudi arabia; perceptions; acceptance; covid-19
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/perception-of-heath-care-providers-about-covid-19-and-its-vaccination--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JMDH

Aisha Alhofaian, Afnan Tunsi, Marym M Alaamri, Lisa A Babkair, Ghadah Ali Almalki, Safia Mohammed Alsadi, Samaher Saeed Alharthi, Ghadah Ahmed Almarhabi Faculty of Nursing, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Aisha AlhofaianFaculty of Nursing, King Abdul Aziz University, P.O. Box. 80209, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi ArabiaTel [phone]Email [e-mail]: The aim of this study was to assess the perception of health care providers about the COVID-19 and its vaccine in Saudi Arabia.Patients and Methods: In this study, we used a quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive design. We recruited healthcare providers (HCPs) from social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and emails that was distributed from March 15, 2021, to April 14, 2021. Chi-square tests were used to compare categorized data between health care workers.Results: A total of 390 health care providers from different regions of the country began the online survey. A total of 298 respondents (77.8%) accepted the COVID-19 vaccine, whereas 85 (22.2%) HCP disapproved. There was a significant difference in the degree of acceptance of COVID-19 immunization among health care providers (P< 0.001). Moreover, the results showed 200 females (52.63%) were more likely to accept the COVID-19 immunization; 97 (25.5%) males were planning on getting one as soon as possible.Conclusion: As shown in the results, 77.8% of health care providers agreed to receive the vaccine. Since COVID-19 is still ongoing, we must increase the number of HCPs who get vaccinated. In addition, a comprehensive immunization campaign is necessary to achieve maximum acceptance by the general public.Keywords: healthcare providers, vaccination, Saudi Arabia, perceptions, acceptance, COVID-19