TY - JOUR
T1 - Acceptance of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination by cancer patients in Cyprus
T2 - A cross-sectional study
AU - Roupa, Zoe
AU - Noula, Maria
AU - Nikitara, Monica
AU - Ghobrial, Savoula
AU - Latzourakis, Evangelos
AU - Polychronis, Giannis
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2021.
PY - 2022/12
Y1 - 2022/12
N2 - Introduction: The acceptance of an individual to be vaccinated following the introduction of a new vaccine is dependent on multiple factors. Governing factors directing one’s decision to be vaccinated against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, however, are currently unknown and the present study aims at researching these factors within the population of cancer patients. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administered survey was conducted anonymously between 22 January and 12 February 2021, during the second vaccination phase against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in Cyprus. The data were collected via an online questionnaire which was formerly used by previously conducted studies. The Mann–Whitney U test was applied for the comparison of means between bivariate variables, while the Kruskal–Wallis test was used for the comparison of means in variables with more than two groups. In addition, Spearman correlation coefficients were applied to explore the correlation of continuous variables. Results: The sample size consisted of a total of 211 cancer patients, 64.9% of which were women with a mean age of 52.6 ± 12.4 years. The findings of the current research indicate a moderate vaccination acceptance among cancer patients (Μ = 3.3 ± 0.7, R = 1–5). Conclusion: During the promotion of a vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 to cancer patients, particular emphasis on specific demographic characteristics, vaccination history and preferred sources of informing the individual are required. In addition, through reviewing the prospective effectiveness and possible outcomes of the specific vaccine according to cancer type and anti-cancer therapy, many of the existing concerns and reservations from cancer patients are expected to be diminished.
AB - Introduction: The acceptance of an individual to be vaccinated following the introduction of a new vaccine is dependent on multiple factors. Governing factors directing one’s decision to be vaccinated against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, however, are currently unknown and the present study aims at researching these factors within the population of cancer patients. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administered survey was conducted anonymously between 22 January and 12 February 2021, during the second vaccination phase against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in Cyprus. The data were collected via an online questionnaire which was formerly used by previously conducted studies. The Mann–Whitney U test was applied for the comparison of means between bivariate variables, while the Kruskal–Wallis test was used for the comparison of means in variables with more than two groups. In addition, Spearman correlation coefficients were applied to explore the correlation of continuous variables. Results: The sample size consisted of a total of 211 cancer patients, 64.9% of which were women with a mean age of 52.6 ± 12.4 years. The findings of the current research indicate a moderate vaccination acceptance among cancer patients (Μ = 3.3 ± 0.7, R = 1–5). Conclusion: During the promotion of a vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 to cancer patients, particular emphasis on specific demographic characteristics, vaccination history and preferred sources of informing the individual are required. In addition, through reviewing the prospective effectiveness and possible outcomes of the specific vaccine according to cancer type and anti-cancer therapy, many of the existing concerns and reservations from cancer patients are expected to be diminished.
KW - Cancer
KW - coronavirus disease 2019
KW - SARS-CoV-2
KW - vaccination acceptance
KW - vaccine hesitancy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85115665914&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/10781552211039489
DO - 10.1177/10781552211039489
M3 - Article
C2 - 34565239
AN - SCOPUS:85115665914
SN - 1078-1552
VL - 28
SP - 1696
EP - 1703
JO - Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice
JF - Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice
IS - 8
ER -