(076) Behaviors and associated determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and advocacy: a nationwide survey of pharmacy professionals using the Theoretical Domains Framework

Publication Number: 413

Background: Vaccine hesitancy poses a global challenge and is acknowledged to be a complex, multifactorial phenomenon. Of particular concern is hesitancy amongst health professionals, as this may also impact their advocacy roles. There is a lack of theory-based investigations of pharmacy professionals.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine pharmacy professionals’ behaviors and associated determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and advocacy using theoretical framework.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians at government, semi-government, and private community pharmacies in Qatar. Questionnaire items captured perspectives of COVID vaccine acceptance and advocacy, and associated determinants based on the domains and constructs of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics, with TDF items subjected to principal components analysis (PCA).

Results: The response rate was 38.6% (n=927). The mean percentage (standard deviation) behavioral determinant index for COVID vaccine acceptance was 31.2±19.6 (scale -100 to 100), with an internal consistency of 0.71. Almost all (n=825, 89.0%) were willing to receive the vaccine, higher for males (p < 0.001) and those in polyclinics (p < 0.05). On subjecting the behavioral determinant items to PCA, the KMO (0.87) and Bartlett test of sphericity (p < 0.001) confirmed the factorability of the correlation matrix. PCA of acceptance items gave five components, ‘emotions’ being most negative and strongly associated with acceptance (p < 0.001) and more negative in females (p < 0.001). The mean percentage (standard deviation) advocacy determinant index was 36.5± 28.2 (scale -100 to 100), with an internal consistency of 0.85. The majority (n=799, 86.2%) agreed that it was their professional duty to advocate. PCA for advocacy items gave two components, with most negative responses for ‘professional role and identity’, more negative for those working in hospital (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: This TDF based national study of pharmacy professionals in Qatar identified high levels of COVID vaccine acceptance and advocacy. Respondents were least positive regarding emotions related behavioral determinants for 'acceptance index' and professional role and identity for 'advocacy'. There is potential for behavior change technique interventions focusing on these issues which could impact vaccine hesitancy of pharmacy professionals and others.