TY - JOUR
T1 - Applying the Health Belief Model for Investigating the Impact of Political Affiliation on COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake
AU - Bhochhibhoya, Amir
AU - Branscum, Paul
AU - Thapaliya, Rashmi
AU - Sharma Ghimire, Pragya
AU - Wharton, Holisa
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 SHAPE America.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Background: Vaccination is likely the most effective approach to protect people from COVID-19. However, partisan differences have persisted for COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand different health beliefs related to COVID-19 vaccine uptake based on Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs among individuals with different political affiliations. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design and data were collected using an online survey. The survey was developed to assess political affiliation and the HBM constructs operationalized toward COVID-19 vaccination uptake. Results: A total of 1187 individuals completed the survey. Results showed a significant difference between all of the HBM constructs and political affiliation with a small effect size. Compared to republicans and independents, democrats were more likely to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Discussion: Findings from the study suggest that politically affiliated individuals view various constructs of HBM operationalized toward COVID-19 vaccine uptake differently. Translation to Health Education Practice: The risk perception differences based on political affiliations identified in this study can inform community-based intervention to address hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination in the United States. These efforts may help the United States reach herd immunity through successful COVID-19 vaccination at the earliest possible date.
AB - Background: Vaccination is likely the most effective approach to protect people from COVID-19. However, partisan differences have persisted for COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand different health beliefs related to COVID-19 vaccine uptake based on Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs among individuals with different political affiliations. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design and data were collected using an online survey. The survey was developed to assess political affiliation and the HBM constructs operationalized toward COVID-19 vaccination uptake. Results: A total of 1187 individuals completed the survey. Results showed a significant difference between all of the HBM constructs and political affiliation with a small effect size. Compared to republicans and independents, democrats were more likely to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Discussion: Findings from the study suggest that politically affiliated individuals view various constructs of HBM operationalized toward COVID-19 vaccine uptake differently. Translation to Health Education Practice: The risk perception differences based on political affiliations identified in this study can inform community-based intervention to address hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination in the United States. These efforts may help the United States reach herd immunity through successful COVID-19 vaccination at the earliest possible date.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85112050163&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/19325037.2021.1955231
DO - 10.1080/19325037.2021.1955231
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85112050163
SN - 1932-5037
VL - 52
SP - 241
EP - 250
JO - American Journal of Health Education
JF - American Journal of Health Education
IS - 5
ER -