Exposure to Misinformation, Risk Perception, and Confidence towards the Government as Factors Influencing Negative Attitudes towards COVID-19 Vaccination in Malaysia

Emma Mohamad, Jen Sern Tham, Siti Zaiton Mohd Ajis, Mohammad Rezal Hamzah, Suffian Hadi Ayub, Andi Muhammad Tri Sakti and Arina Anis Azlan ()
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Emma Mohamad: Centre for Research in Media and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
Jen Sern Tham: Department of Communication, Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Seri Kembangan 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
Siti Zaiton Mohd Ajis: Centre for Research in Media and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
Mohammad Rezal Hamzah: Department of Communication, Faculty of Business and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Kangar 01000, Perlis, Malaysia
Suffian Hadi Ayub: Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam 40450, Selangor, Malaysia
Andi Muhammad Tri Sakti: Centre for Research in Media and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
Arina Anis Azlan: Centre for Research in Media and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-20

Abstract: Introduction: This study explored exposure to misinformation, COVID-19 risk perception, and confidence towards the government as predictors of negative attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out from 30 June to 30 August 2021 involving 775 respondents. The survey instrument for the questionnaire was an adaptation from various different studies consisting of five main variables: (1) misinformation about vaccination; (2) risk perception toward COVID-19; (3) attitudes toward the vaccination programme; (4) intention to get vaccinated; and (5) public confidence in the government in executing the vaccination programme. Results: The results of this study indicate that higher exposure to misinformation led to higher levels of negative attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. When the perceived risk of COVID-19 infection was high, mistrust of vaccine benefits was low but there were also higher worries about the future effects of the vaccine. Confidence in the government was associated with lower negative attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: The results of this study may help develop an understanding of negative attitudes toward vaccinations in Malaysia and its contributing factors.

Keywords: COVID-19; vaccination; government; cross sectional survey; perceived risk (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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