1.Relationship of trust on selected health information sources and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among older adults
Eunice Simone R. Tung ; Danielle Janica Ballescas ; Xyle Arani Ysabel B. Balquiedra ; Rowell Kian B. Carig ; Rommel Angelo P. Sanchez ; Vincent Gerald M. Santos ; Janelle P. Castro ; Tricia Kaye F. Palola ; Jocelyn M. Molo
Health Sciences Journal 2023;12(2):78-84
Introduction:
In order to suppress the COVID-19 virus, several vaccines have been developed. The
administration of COVID-19 vaccines entails its acceptance. However, misinformation and vaccine
uncertainty are main factors that affect vaccine acceptance. This study aimed to determine the most
trusted health information source, the most frequently accessed health information source, and health
literacy of older adults within Metro Manila.
Methods:
This study employed a quantitative non-experimental design utilizing correlational and descriptive
approaches. Convenience sampling was utilized via Facebook to recruit participants. The survey was
adapted from four different questionnaires and went through reliability testing and expert validation.
Results
The researchers collected responses from a total of 123 participants. The participants were noted
to have an overall high level of acceptance for the COVID-19 vaccine ( 4.10, SD ± 0.22).
The study revealed that doctors were the highly trusted health information source (( =3.69, SD ± 1.30),
followed by government health agencies (( =3.18, SD ± 0.73), whereas religious organizations and leaders
(( =2.45, SD ± 0.48) were the least trusted sources. However, despite being the least trusted source,
religious organizations and leaders were shown to be positively related (p=0.049) and highly predictive of
COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. The most frequently accessed health information source, health workers,
have a weak correlation (r=.323) and were found to be significantly positively related (p=0.008) and highly
predictive of the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. The credibility of health information sources is
likely to influence their selection, influencing decisions and behaviors.
SARS-CoV-2
;
Geriatrics