TV8.md – STUDY on COVID
The Sixth Study on Behavioral Visions on COVID-19 in the Republic of Moldova conducted by the Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Public Health with the support of the WHO Office in Moldova shows that 47% of respondents received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine . , and 78% of vaccinated people recommended vaccination to other people. The reason that led the population to be vaccinated is the desire to protect themselves and those around them (every second respondent vaccinated).
The study was conducted between 8-31 October 2021, on a probabilistic sample of 1,010 people from over 300 localities, representative of the adult population of the Republic of Moldova (except for the Transnistrian region), the maximum sampling error being ± 3%. The aim is to understand the public’s perceptions of risks, knowledge, sources of information and attitudes towards the authorities’ pandemic response initiatives, and to strengthen COVID-19 response measures, including policies, interventions and communication. crisis situations.
Main results:
47% of the respondents stated that they received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 95% received the vaccine in the Republic of Moldova, and 4% – in Romania. The percentage of the vaccinated population increases with the aging of the population (from 30% for the 18-29 age group to 53% for people over 50) and with the increase of the level of education (from 29% for the educated ). 58% for people with higher education).
The main reasons that led the population to get vaccinated are the desire to protect themselves and those around them, the demands of the workplace (16%) and the desire to escape restrictions and to be able to go abroad (10%). ).
53% of respondents say they refuse the vaccine for the following reason: lack of confidence in the safety of the vaccine because they have not been tested enough for side effects or long-term consequences (32%), the presence of chronic diseases in the population . the state of health after the administration of the vaccine (22%) and the categorical refusal to be vaccinated in any form (12%).
76% of those vaccinated reported that vaccination had no side effects or minor effects.
From the group of unvaccinated people at the time of the study, every third respondent claimed that they would be vaccinated safely. In general, the vaccine continues to be more widely accepted by the elderly and men, those who trust the authorities more and those who perceive the virus as close and spreading rapidly.
Half of those with low vaccination intentions believe that vaccination will not help control the spread of COVID-19, while more than three-quarters of those with high vaccination intentions believe it will control the spread.
5% of respondents know relatives, friends or close people who have obtained a false vaccination certificate.
Over 60% of people with low vaccination intentions say that vaccination against COVID-19 is NOT important to protect other members of the community, while almost 60% of people with high intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19 are NOT important to protect others. .
One in four adults (27%) still do not believe that SARS-CoV-2 is real or uncertain. People who do not believe in the existence of the virus are mostly men, with a low level of education, residents of the urban environment and the southern region of the country, aged 18-49.
PERCEPTION OF RISK, KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES
25% of respondents (compared to 19% in May 2021) confirm that they were or were, during the data collection, tested positive for COVID-19 in various forms (from asymptomatic to severe), and another 5% were suspected of specific symptoms but no laboratory confirmation. The percentage of infected people is higher in urban areas (33% versus 15% in rural areas), in Chisinau (38% versus the average of 18% in other regions).
Study Six shows a steady decline in the percentage of respondents who believe they are more likely to become infected with COVID-19 (from 48% in March 2021 to 38% in May 2021 and 32% in October 2021) will be severe in case of infection (from 43% in March 2021 to 35% in May 2021 and 17% in October 2021).
On the other hand, the percentage of people who feel stressed due to COVID-19 increased from the last study (from 44% in the previous study to 51%); the percentage of people who are afraid of COVID-19 (from 43% to 49%); the percentage of people who feel that the virus is spreading rapidly (from 51% to 69%).
Perceptions of media exaggerations about the virus have increased, with about two-thirds of the population (67% versus 60% in the previous study) now reporting that the pandemic is somewhat or greatly exaggerated by the media.
The share of respondents who consider that the current restrictions are very exaggerated has increased since May (from 33% to 46%). At the same time, the percentage of people who took it on the pandemic has decreased (from 65% in May 2021 to 56% in the current study).
At least 2/3 of the responses support restrictions imposed by the authorities in October to prevent the spread of the virus (eg, limiting the number of visitors to ceremonies, the HoReCa sector, recreation centers, etc.), and less support the transition to online education. only about 40% support this measure).
The questionnaire of the study was developed by the WHO Regional Office for Europe for all these countries in the region, being adjusted to the national context and the epidemiological situation in the Republic of Moldova. The data were collected by the Center for Sociological, Political and Psychological Analysis and Investigation “CIVIS” through computer-assisted telephone interviews, and the analysis was performed by the WHO Regional Office for Europe in partnership with the University of Erfurt (Germany). The study was carried out with the financial support of the European Union and the WHO Regional Office for Europe.