Some psychological factors affecting the COVID-19 vaccine confidence of selected residents from Puerto Princesa City

Abstract

In the Philippines, vaccine hesitancy became apparent in the early stages of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Research on this matter has produced diverse perspectives, with some studies confirming the presence of vaccine hesitancy while others argue that it is not a significant concern. Researchers conducted a qualitative study to explore this matter in-depth, specifically utilizing a survey method. The research aimed to understand how individuals' willingness influenced their confidence in the vaccine and the vaccination process, considering the identified psychological factors. Using purposive sampling, the researchers administered an online survey to 29 unvaccinated residents from barangays San Pedro, San Miguel, San Jose, Tiniguiban, and Macarascas. The semi-structured survey questionnaire consisted of 24 questions related to the participants' perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccination program. Thematic factor analysis, based on the adapted SAGE 3C model of vaccine hesitancy, was employed to identify the underlying psychological factors. The findings revealed that more than half of the participants were willing to be vaccinated, which is associated with their vaccine confidence. The identified psychological factors included anxiety, disinclination, distrust, responsibility, and security. Anxiety, disinclination, and distrust were found to have a negative impact, contributing to hesitancy in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. In contrast, responsibility and security had a positive influence, contributing to the participants' willingness to get vaccinated. These results suggest that these five psychological factors significantly affect the participants' level of COVID-19 vaccine confidence.