Knowledge and attitude towards the acceptance of vaccination against COVID-19 among healthcare professionals in Morocco

Abstract

<b>Objectives:</b> To assess the knowledge and acceptance of health professionals in the southern region of Morocco in relation to the anti-COVID-19 vaccines.<br /> <b>Methods:</b> This cross-sectional observational study will make it possible to assess the state of knowledge and acceptance of the vaccine against COVID-19 among health personnel in the prefecture of Agadir Idaoutanane, and to determine the factors influencing them, thanks to a self-administered questionnaire. Vaccine acceptance was determined by individuals who opted for vaccination willingly.<br /> <b>Results:</b> A total of 390 health professionals participated in this study. According to the results, there is a predominance of the female sex with a percentage of 63.2% and a sex ratio equal to 0.57. In addition, more than half of the health personnel participating in this study were between the ages of 20 and 30. 365 health professionals (93.3%) were vaccinated against COVID-19 of which 53.1% chose to be vaccinated of their own free will. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, and the question of the development of immunity to COVID-19 are significantly associated with vaccine acceptance.<br /> <br /> <b>Conclusions:</b> These observations are worrying insofar as health personnel have frequent and prolonged contact with patients. Hence the importance of improving their state of knowledge and positively impacting their acceptance of anti-COVID-19 vaccines in order to influence the attitude of their patients and the rest of the population.