Behavioral and Cultural Insights, a Nationwide Study Based on Repetitive Surveys of WHO Behavioral Insights Tool in Greece Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccine Acceptance

Panagiotis Prezerakos, Katerina Dadouli, Eirini Agapidaki, Christina-Maria Kravvari, Ioanna Avakian, Athanasia-Marina Peristeri, Lemonia Anagnostopoulos, Varvara A. Mouchtouri, Konstantinos N. Fountoulakis, Sotirios Koupidis and Christos Hadjichristodoulou ()
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Panagiotis Prezerakos: Department of Nursing, University of Peloponnese, 22100 Tripoli, Greece
Katerina Dadouli: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
Eirini Agapidaki: Secretary General of Public Health, Ministry of Health, 10433 Athens, Greece
Christina-Maria Kravvari: Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, 15123 Athens, Greece
Ioanna Avakian: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
Athanasia-Marina Peristeri: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
Lemonia Anagnostopoulos: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
Varvara A. Mouchtouri: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
Konstantinos N. Fountoulakis: 3rd Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Sotirios Koupidis: Occupational and Environmental Health Sector, Public Health Policy Department, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 11521 Athens, Greece
Christos Hadjichristodoulou: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 20, issue 1, 1-22

Abstract: Monitoring behavioral and cultural insights during the pandemic is a useful tool to identify factors related to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and confront the pandemic’s vast impact. Data were collected using a questionnaire designed according to the “survey tool and guidance” provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). Surveys were conducted by a market research company for five consecutive months, with a sample of 1000 individuals recruited per survey. Vaccination acceptance increased from 55.2% to 67.2%, while the percentage of undecisive individuals decreased from 16.3% to 10.6%. The proportion of vaccine resistant participants remained relatively steady (25–30%). Knowledge about the pandemic and compliance with preventive measures was high (>90%). Factors associated with vaccination included: Increased age, male gender, influenza vaccination, following authorities’ recommendations, being informed by HCWs or formal information sources, care for others, concern about the country’s economic recession and health system overload. Pandemic fatigue was reflected across the surveys, indicated by a decrease in the intention to self-isolate and remain at home when ill. Despite the decrease of undecisive individuals, a firm core of vaccine resistant individuals may be responsible for the relatively lower vaccine coverage compared to northern EU countries. Study results could be useful for developing approaches tailored to a reluctant population.

Keywords: COVID-19; repeated surveys; behavioral insights; vaccination hesitancy; vaccination intention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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