Acceptability and perception of COVID-19 vaccines among foreign medical students in China: A cross-sectional study
BackgroundAcceptability and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine among different social groups have been the subject of several studies. However, little is known about foreign medical students in Chinese universities.AimThis study, therefore, fills the literature gap using a focus group technique to a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1112789/full |
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| author | Clement Arthur Clement Arthur Clement Arthur Clement Arthur Zhen Dong Zhen Dong Zhen Dong Hermas Abudu MengLu Li MengLu Li MengLu Li George N. Chidimbah Munthali Chunming Zhang Chunming Zhang Chunming Zhang Sen Zhang Sen Zhang Sen Zhang Rui Han Rui Han Rui Han Stephen Ogbordjor Amos Dormocara Lina Ja Lina Ja Lina Ja Di Zhang Haili Zhang Haili Zhang Haili Zhang Hui Huangfu Hui Huangfu Hui Huangfu |
| author_facet | Clement Arthur Clement Arthur Clement Arthur Clement Arthur Zhen Dong Zhen Dong Zhen Dong Hermas Abudu MengLu Li MengLu Li MengLu Li George N. Chidimbah Munthali Chunming Zhang Chunming Zhang Chunming Zhang Sen Zhang Sen Zhang Sen Zhang Rui Han Rui Han Rui Han Stephen Ogbordjor Amos Dormocara Lina Ja Lina Ja Lina Ja Di Zhang Haili Zhang Haili Zhang Haili Zhang Hui Huangfu Hui Huangfu Hui Huangfu |
| author_sort | Clement Arthur |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundAcceptability and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine among different social groups have been the subject of several studies. However, little is known about foreign medical students in Chinese universities.AimThis study, therefore, fills the literature gap using a focus group technique to assess the acceptance and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine among foreign medical students in China.MethodsThe study adopted an online cross-sectional survey method following the Chinese universities' lockdowns to collect the data between March and April 2022. A data collection questionnaire was developed, and then the link was shared with the respondents through key informants in different universities in China to obtain the data. The data collection process only included foreign medical students who were in China from May 2021 to April 2022. The authors received a total of 403 responses from the respondents. During data processing, we excluded 17 respondents since they were not in China while administering the questionnaire to enhance the data validity. The authors then coded the remaining 386 respondents for the estimation process. We finally applied the multilinear logistics regression technique to model the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance with the response or influencing factors, including the mediating factors among the foreign medical students in China.ResultsThe data statistics show that 4.9% of the respondents were younger than 20 years, 91.5% were 20–40 years old, and 3.6% were older than 40 years; 36.3% of respondents were female subjects and 63.7% were male subjects. The results also show that the respondents are from six continents, including the African continent, 72.4%, Asia 17.4%, 3.1% from Europe, 2.8% from North America, 1.6% from Australia, and 2.3% from South America. The mediation analysis for the gender variable (β = 0.235, p = 0.002) suggests that gender is a significant channel in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and perception among foreign medical students in China. Also, the main analysis shows that opinion on the safety of the vaccine (β = 0.081, p = 0.043), doses of the vaccine to receive (β = 0.175, p = 0.001), vaccine safety with some side effects (β = 0.15, p = 0.000), and the possibility of acquiring COVID-19 after vaccination (β = 0.062, p = 0.040) are all positive factors influencing vaccine acceptability and perception. Also, the home continent (β = −0.062, p = 0.071) is a negative factor influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and perception. Furthermore, the finding shows that fear perceptions has affected 200 (51.81%) respondents. The medical students feared that the vaccines might result in future implications such as infertility, impotence, and systemic health conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory, or deep vein thrombosis. In addition, 186 (48.19%) students feared that the vaccines were intended to shorten life expectancy.ConclusionCOVID-19 vaccination acceptability and perception among medical students in China is high, most predominantly due to their knowledge of medicine composition formulation. Despite widespread acceptance by the general public and private stakeholders, we concluded that vaccination resistance remains a significant factor among medical students and trainees. The study further adds that in considering the COVID-19 vaccine, the factor of the home continent plays a significant role in vaccine hesitancy among foreign medical students. Also, knowledge, information, and education are important pillars confronting new medicine administered among medical trainees. Finally, there is a low rate of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among foreign medical students in China. The study, therefore, recommends targeted policy strategies, including sensitization, detailed public information, and education, especially for medical colleges and institutions on the COVID-19 vaccination, to achieve 100%. Furthermore, the study recommends that future researchers explore other factors influencing accurate information and education for successful COVID-19 vaccination implementation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T21:22:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7bbf8944ccd94f40ac22c00c8f6db52c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T21:22:48Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-7bbf8944ccd94f40ac22c00c8f6db52c2023-03-28T04:49:52ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652023-03-011110.3389/fpubh.2023.11127891112789Acceptability and perception of COVID-19 vaccines among foreign medical students in China: A cross-sectional studyClement Arthur0Clement Arthur1Clement Arthur2Clement Arthur3Zhen Dong4Zhen Dong5Zhen Dong6Hermas Abudu7MengLu Li8MengLu Li9MengLu Li10George N. Chidimbah Munthali11Chunming Zhang12Chunming Zhang13Chunming Zhang14Sen Zhang15Sen Zhang16Sen Zhang17Rui Han18Rui Han19Rui Han20Stephen Ogbordjor21Amos Dormocara22Lina Ja23Lina Ja24Lina Ja25Di Zhang26Haili Zhang27Haili Zhang28Haili Zhang29Hui Huangfu30Hui Huangfu31Hui Huangfu32Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology, Regional Hospital Sunyani, Sunyani, GhanaDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaCollege of Overseas Education Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Finance and Accounting, Mzuzu University, Mzuzu, MalawiDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaFirst Klass Klassic Hospital, Konongo, GhanaSoochow University Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Pharmaceutics, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Basic Medical, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaBackgroundAcceptability and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine among different social groups have been the subject of several studies. However, little is known about foreign medical students in Chinese universities.AimThis study, therefore, fills the literature gap using a focus group technique to assess the acceptance and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine among foreign medical students in China.MethodsThe study adopted an online cross-sectional survey method following the Chinese universities' lockdowns to collect the data between March and April 2022. A data collection questionnaire was developed, and then the link was shared with the respondents through key informants in different universities in China to obtain the data. The data collection process only included foreign medical students who were in China from May 2021 to April 2022. The authors received a total of 403 responses from the respondents. During data processing, we excluded 17 respondents since they were not in China while administering the questionnaire to enhance the data validity. The authors then coded the remaining 386 respondents for the estimation process. We finally applied the multilinear logistics regression technique to model the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance with the response or influencing factors, including the mediating factors among the foreign medical students in China.ResultsThe data statistics show that 4.9% of the respondents were younger than 20 years, 91.5% were 20–40 years old, and 3.6% were older than 40 years; 36.3% of respondents were female subjects and 63.7% were male subjects. The results also show that the respondents are from six continents, including the African continent, 72.4%, Asia 17.4%, 3.1% from Europe, 2.8% from North America, 1.6% from Australia, and 2.3% from South America. The mediation analysis for the gender variable (β = 0.235, p = 0.002) suggests that gender is a significant channel in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and perception among foreign medical students in China. Also, the main analysis shows that opinion on the safety of the vaccine (β = 0.081, p = 0.043), doses of the vaccine to receive (β = 0.175, p = 0.001), vaccine safety with some side effects (β = 0.15, p = 0.000), and the possibility of acquiring COVID-19 after vaccination (β = 0.062, p = 0.040) are all positive factors influencing vaccine acceptability and perception. Also, the home continent (β = −0.062, p = 0.071) is a negative factor influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and perception. Furthermore, the finding shows that fear perceptions has affected 200 (51.81%) respondents. The medical students feared that the vaccines might result in future implications such as infertility, impotence, and systemic health conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory, or deep vein thrombosis. In addition, 186 (48.19%) students feared that the vaccines were intended to shorten life expectancy.ConclusionCOVID-19 vaccination acceptability and perception among medical students in China is high, most predominantly due to their knowledge of medicine composition formulation. Despite widespread acceptance by the general public and private stakeholders, we concluded that vaccination resistance remains a significant factor among medical students and trainees. The study further adds that in considering the COVID-19 vaccine, the factor of the home continent plays a significant role in vaccine hesitancy among foreign medical students. Also, knowledge, information, and education are important pillars confronting new medicine administered among medical trainees. Finally, there is a low rate of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among foreign medical students in China. The study, therefore, recommends targeted policy strategies, including sensitization, detailed public information, and education, especially for medical colleges and institutions on the COVID-19 vaccination, to achieve 100%. Furthermore, the study recommends that future researchers explore other factors influencing accurate information and education for successful COVID-19 vaccination implementation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1112789/fullCOVID-19COVID-19 vaccineinternational studentsmedical studentspandemic |
| spellingShingle | Clement Arthur Clement Arthur Clement Arthur Clement Arthur Zhen Dong Zhen Dong Zhen Dong Hermas Abudu MengLu Li MengLu Li MengLu Li George N. Chidimbah Munthali Chunming Zhang Chunming Zhang Chunming Zhang Sen Zhang Sen Zhang Sen Zhang Rui Han Rui Han Rui Han Stephen Ogbordjor Amos Dormocara Lina Ja Lina Ja Lina Ja Di Zhang Haili Zhang Haili Zhang Haili Zhang Hui Huangfu Hui Huangfu Hui Huangfu Acceptability and perception of COVID-19 vaccines among foreign medical students in China: A cross-sectional study Frontiers in Public Health COVID-19 COVID-19 vaccine international students medical students pandemic |
| title | Acceptability and perception of COVID-19 vaccines among foreign medical students in China: A cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Acceptability and perception of COVID-19 vaccines among foreign medical students in China: A cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Acceptability and perception of COVID-19 vaccines among foreign medical students in China: A cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Acceptability and perception of COVID-19 vaccines among foreign medical students in China: A cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Acceptability and perception of COVID-19 vaccines among foreign medical students in China: A cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | acceptability and perception of covid 19 vaccines among foreign medical students in china a cross sectional study |
| topic | COVID-19 COVID-19 vaccine international students medical students pandemic |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1112789/full |
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