Fear of COVID-19 among Healthcare Workers of a Tertiary Care Cardiac Facility Before-and After-Vaccination and Serology

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the changes in the perceptions and practices during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) era before and after vaccination and antibodies titer among the healthcare workers (HCWs) at a tertiary care cardiac center. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study included HCWs working at a tertiary care cardiac center in Karachi, Pakistan. A predefined structured questionnaire was used to assess the sense of security, practice, and perception of the HCWs before vaccination, after vaccination, and after knowing the antibodies titer. Results: Out of 151 HCWs, 70.2% (106) were male, and a majority, 65.6% (99), were ≤35 years old with an overall mean age of 34.92 ± 7.64 years. Nearly half of the individuals, (n=74; 49%), were doctors, 10 individuals (6.6%) were non-clinical staff, and reaming were nursing staff. The mean day since COVID-19 vaccination was 89.6 ± 40.07 before COVID-19 infection. Antibodies titer levels were >250 U/mL in 108 cases (71.5%) and ≤100 U/mL in 18 cases (11.8%). A significant increase in perception score was observed after serology with a mean of 61.04 ± 25.23 vs 53.86 ± 28.96; (p=0.008) compared to the post-vaccination perception score. A significant declining trend has been witnessed in mean practice scores, with a pre-vaccination mean of 69.93 ± 27.12, post-vaccination mean of 59.47 ± 30.61 (p<0.001). And post-serology mean of 55.1 ± 27.1 (p<0.001). Conclusion: An increase in the sense of security and leniency in adherence to personal protective measures has been observed among HCWs after vaccination and after knowing the antibodies titer.