Factors Associated With COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake Among Community-Dwelling Patients With Severe Mental Illness: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Published in: Primary care companion for CNS disorders Vol. 24; no. 3
• Main Author: Uvais, N A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 26.05.2022
• ISSN: 2155-7780
• DOI: 10.4088/PCC.21m03227

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination uptake among individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) is a public health challenge due to various individual level as well as systemic level barriers. The objective of this study was to explore COVID-19 vaccination status among community-dwelling patients with SMI and identify associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with SMI attending community psychiatry clinics in Northern Kerala from April 21, 2021, to August 3, 2021, using a structured questionnaire. Sociodemographic information and COVID-19-related information, including vaccination status and agreement with COVID-19 vaccination-related statements, were obtained. Of the 62 respondents, only 27.9% received COVID-19 vaccination. Also, 59.7% of respondents received a recommendation for vaccination from their health care providers. The mean age of the vaccinated group was significantly higher than that of the unvaccinated group (  = 1.33 ,  < .001). The rate of vaccination uptake among respondents who were contacted by their health care provider for COVID-19 vaccination was significantly higher (  = .001). Respondents in the vaccinated group perceived the vaccine to be more effective in preventing COVID-19 infection than those in the unvaccinated group (2.06 vs 2.64,  = .031). Also, vaccinated respondents were less in agreement regarding the statement about the risk of COVID-19 vaccine worsening mental illness (4.18 vs 3.67,  = .049). Age and recommendation for vaccination from health care providers were found to be significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccination uptake. On the basis of the study findings, it is recommended that tailored educational activities regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine along with recommendation by health care providers can significantly improve COVID-19 vaccination uptake among patients with SMI.