Perceived Threat of COVID-19 and Vaccination Coverage Among Nurses: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: Analyse the perceived threat of COVID-19, vaccination coverage and associated factors among nurses in Barcelona (Spain) in 2021 after the start of the vaccination campaign.

DESIGN

Multicentre cross-sectional study using an anonymous online questionnaire accessible from 26 February to 31 May 2021. Cherries guidelines were followed.

METHODS

Three hundered and eighty nine hospital and primary care nurses participated using an anonymous online questionnaire accessible from 26 February to 31 May 2021. The questionnaire included ad-hoc questions and the validated Questionnaire on the Perceived Threat of COVID-19. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed based on the type of variable.

RESULTS

Perceived threat was higher among female nurses, the 35-49 age group and the hospital setting. Being a woman, living with a dependent and believing oneself vulnerable to falling ill were all associated with this perceived threat. Vaccination coverage was high in general and even higher among women despite having higher scores for anxiety from thinking about vaccination. Most nurses trusted the efficacy and safety of the vaccine.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite having already been vaccinated, the nurses presented a significant perceived threat, with women with dependents feeling the most threatened. The attitude of the nurses towards vaccination was good since they trusted the efficacy and safety of the vaccine.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: Nurses are frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) in any pandemic, so strategies are needed to (1) help them manage perceived threat and (2) debunk false beliefs that prevent vaccination. Training might have been offered on how to manage the physical and mental overload of the pandemic and how to improve the consultation of scientific resources to obtain accurate, evidence-based information. Public confidence should be increased through communication and education, such as vaccination reminders and debunking fake news-social networks are a major channel among young people and useful for sharing scientific information.

REPORTING METHOD: This study adheres to the EQUATOR Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E- Surveys (CHERRIES).