Response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic of dental hygienists in South Korea-Part III: COVID-19 vaccination intentions

Objectives: This cross-sectional study was to determine the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination intention of clinical dental hygienists in South Korea and the factors that influence vaccination intention.

Methods: COVID-19 vaccination intention of the 500 participants was confirmed through a survey including the following options: 'I will vaccinate (VAC)', 'I will not vaccinate (NoVAC)' and 'I do not know if I should get vaccinated (UNK)'. A Chi-square test was performed to determine whether there were differences in COVID-19 vaccination intention according to the general characteristics of the participants, degree of infection control knowledge (Score-K) and practice (Score-P) in response to COVID-19, fears over COVID-19 (Fear-C) and the level of anxiety before (GAD_Before ) and after (GAD_After ) the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify factors affecting VAC and NoVAC by setting the base category as UNK. The p-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: According to the analysis, 44.8%, 18.8% and 36.4% of participants selected VAC, NoVAC and UNK respectively. There were significant differences in vaccination intention according to age, monthly income, residential area, symptoms related to COVID-19, Score-K, Fear-C and GAD_Before . Compared to UNK, < $2000 monthly income, Score-K and Fear-C variables significantly influenced the opinion of VAC. Compared to the answer UNK, monthly incomes of $2000 to $2360 and $2360 to $2730 in residential areas significantly influenced the opinion of NoVAC.

Conclusions: The variables influencing vaccination intention were monthly income, residential area, Score-K and Fear-C.