Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with chronic diseases: A cross-sectional study

Aims and objectives This study aimed to clarify the attitudes, knowledge and vaccination willingness of patients with chronic diseases toward COVID-19 vaccines and the influencing factors. Background Vaccination against COVID-19 is an important way to protect patients with chronic diseases, but the vaccination acceptance varies across diseases and populations. A better understanding of this condition will lead to tailored intervention strategies and high vaccination rates. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods Data were collected between March 2021 and May 2021 in China. A self-compiled questionnaire was used in the survey. Two independent-samples t-tests/one-way analysis of variance or U test/H test was used to measure the differences between groups. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors. The study adhered to the EQUATOR checklist, STROBE. Results A total of 998 patients participated in the study. Score rates of attitudes, knowledge and vaccination willingness were 69.9%, 68.4% and 70.6% respectively. Age, vaccination status of family members, education levels, vaccine side effects and economic level were positive factors that could influence patients' vaccination acceptances, while time of illness, type of disease and political affiliations were negative predictors. The top reasons for willingness toward vaccination were supporting national strategies, belief on the vaccines and fearing of contracting COVID-19, while physical reasons, side effects and having a wait-and-see attitude were unwillingness factors. Conclusions Patients' attitudes, knowledge and vaccination willingness were medium. Nurses should pay attention to patients who are from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, under 30 or over 70 years old, have no political affiliations, have damage to vital organs, have a long course of illness, family members have not received COVID-19 vaccines and had no side effects after receiving other vaccines. Relevance to clinical practice Clinical nurses are recommended to take measures from patients' duration of illness, damaged organs, demographic characteristics and families to improve patients' vaccination acceptances.