Determining the Relationship Between Coronavirus Anxiety and Attitudes Towards the COVID-19 Vaccination in Students from Vocational School of Health Services

Abstract

Aim: This research was aimed to determine the relationship between coronavirus anxiety and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccination in students from the vocational school of health services. Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was completed with 700 students attending the Vocational School of Health Services at a university in eastern Turkey in the 2020-2021 academic year. The data were collected through an online survey via the Social media platform (Whatsapp) between 15-31 January 2021. The data were collected Student Information Form, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, and Attitude towards the COVID-19 Vaccine. The data were evaluated using the SPSS 22.0 program with standard deviation, mean, percentage, number, t-test in independent groups, one-way analysis of variance, and Spearman rho correlation analysis. The statistical significance level was taken as p<0.05. Results: Attitudes Towards the COVID-19 Vaccine Scale positive attitude subscale mean score of the students was moderate (11.07±4.03), and their Attitudes Towards the COVID-19 Vaccine Scale negative attitude subscale mean score (15.37±3.64) was moderate. The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale mean score (6.81±3.42) was low. It was found that the students who suffered from a chronic disease, had family members with a chronic disease, had family members infected with COVID-19, and lost a family member due to COVID-19 had higher Coronavirus Anxiety Scale mean scores compared to the other students and this was statistically significant. Conclusion: These results highlight that training should be planned to increase students' positive attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR]