RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ATTITUDE TOWARDS VACCINATION AGAINST COVID-19 AND SOCIALDEMOGRAPHIC, HEALTH-RELATED AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AMONG UNVACCINATED HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES IN LATVIA

The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) vaccination of healthcare workers has a critical role in protecting them, the patients, and society. The aim of this study was to explore related factors to the attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination of unvaccinated hospital employees in Latvia. Data were collected from March to May 2021 among hospital employees. Overall, 355 respondents took part in the online survey. The respondents in this group ranged from 19 to 71 years old (M=41.21; SD=12.53). 93% of respondents were women. The results of the hierarchical multiple regression found that gender (R2= 0.01, F(1.352) = 5.92, p < 0.05), previous influenza vaccination (ΔR2=0.07, F(2.352) = 13.80, p < 0.01), and psychological parameters (ΔR2=0.42, F (9,345) = 29.22, p < 0.01), are related to more of an attitude of denial regarding vaccination among unvaccinated hospital employees. In conclusion, our study suggests that being a woman, without previous influenza vaccination, and having worries about the speed of vaccine production, distrust in recommendations of specialists, belief about not being a risk group, belief that the vaccine does not protect oneself and others, belief that COVID-19 is made up, and vaccines are a threat, are related to a more negative attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination.