Predictors of Uncertainty and Unwillingness to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine in Men Who Have Sex with Men in France

Youssoufa M. Ousseine, Sophie Vaux, Stéphanie Vandentorren, Isabelle Bonmarin, Karen Champenois, Nathalie Lydié and Annie Velter
Additional contact information
Youssoufa M. Ousseine: Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, 94415 Saint-Maurice, France
Sophie Vaux: Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, 94415 Saint-Maurice, France
Stéphanie Vandentorren: Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, 94415 Saint-Maurice, France
Isabelle Bonmarin: Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, 94415 Saint-Maurice, France
Karen Champenois: Université de Paris, INSERM, IAME, 75006 Paris, France
Nathalie Lydié: Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, 94415 Saint-Maurice, France
Annie Velter: Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, 94415 Saint-Maurice, France

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: The development of vaccines against COVID-19 has given hope to populations. Public acceptability of vaccination is a major driver in containing the disease. However, in marginalized and stigmatized populations, uncertainty and unwillingness may be a challenge. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with uncertainty and unwillingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 in men who have sex with men (MSM) living in France. The data used came from Rapport au Sexe (ERAS) 2021, a voluntary, cross-sectional, anonymous, self-administered, online survey conducted from 26 February to 11 April 2021. Among the 15,426 respondents included in the analysis, 60.5% were willing to vaccinate (these included persons already vaccinated), 17.5% were not, and 22% were uncertain. Factors independently associated with uncertainty and unwillingness were lower education level, low health literacy level, financial hardship, being under 30 years of age, and living in a rural area. HIV-positive MSM were less likely to report vaccination uncertainty and unwillingness than HIV-negative MSM and those with unknown serostatus. Although more impacted by COVID-19, socioeconomically vulnerable MSM were the sub-group most unwilling to vaccinate. To improve acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination in MSM, policy makers and researchers must increase access to and understanding of medical information by considering the general public’s health literacy when developing information sources. Moreover, a dedicated global care approach, which ensures these populations can be reached, is necessary.

Keywords: vaccine-hesitancy; uncertainty; unwillingness; COVID-19 vaccine; men who have sex with men; health literacy; social inequalities (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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