Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Related to COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: According to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, vaccination can save millions of lives, and it is widely known as one of the most successful and cost-effective health interventions. Nevertheless, some people are reluctant to be vaccinated because of potential side effects. This study aimed to analyze the effects of knowledge, attitudes, and behavior related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine acceptance. Material and Methods: This is a quantitative study that employed the cross-sectional approach and was conducted from December 2021 to February 2022. Data were collected from 520 samples aged 22-64 years chosen via simple random sampling. The data collection was carried out using a questionnaire via Google Forms. To analyze the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination program in the community, multiple linear regressions using the SPSS software version 25 were employed. Results: Knowledge (b=0.11, SE=0.05, 95% CI=0.01 to 0.21, p-value=0.030), attitude (b=0.08, SE=0.03, 95% CI=0.03 to 0.13, p-value=0.003), and behavior (b=0.07, SE=0.02, 95% CI=0.03 to 0.10, p-value<0.001) affected the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. The higher the knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine, the higher the public acceptance of the vaccination program. Likewise, the more positive the public’s attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine, the higher its acceptance of the vaccination. The better the public’s behavior related to COVID-19 vaccination, the higher the level of acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: Comprehensive knowledge, positive attitudes, and good behavior related to the COVID-19 vaccination affect the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine by the public of Indonesia. Even when people have received a complete COVID-19 vaccination, they should remain disciplined in implementing the recommended health protocols of the relevant institutions and organizations.