THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONSPIRACY BELIEFS, FEAR OF INJECTION, ATTITUDE TOWARDS COVID-19 VACCINE, AND VACCINE HESITANCY

Abstract

Aim: The main purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between conspiracy beliefs, fear of injection, attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine, and vaccine hesitancy. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional research design was used in the study. The population of the study consisted of individuals over the age of 18 residing in Adana city center between January and March 2022. The data were collected from 496 people using the online questionnaire technique. SPSS 23 and AMOS 26 package programs were used in the analysis of the data. Results: The effect of co1nspiracy theories on COVID-19 on vaccine hesitancy over attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines was found to be negative. Similarly, the effect of fear of injection on vaccine hesitancy on attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines was found to be negative. Conclusion: Therefore, the attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine partially mediates the relationship between the conspiracy theories towards COVID-19, fear of injection, and vaccine hesitancy.

Keywords

• Conspiracy Beliefs
• Fear of Injection
• COVID-19
• Attitude
• Hesitation

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