The COVID-19 Vaccine Knowledge and Attitude Scale: A Methodological Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) virus has spread to many countries in a short time since its emergence in December 2019 and it has been declared as a pandemic. It is important to wear a mask and comply with physical distance rules to protect against COVID-19. However, the COVID-19 vaccine is important for breaking the infection chain. This study was a methodological type of validity and reliability study on the COVID-19 Vaccine Knowledge and Attitude Scale conducted in the Northern Cyprus between October 2020 and January 2021. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The COVID-19 Vaccine Knowledge and Attitude Scale was produced via two different studies (a cross-sectional study and a methodological study). The first study was the cross-sectional (n=396) study. This study’s results were used for the first draft candidate scale, 50 items, with the literature. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the COVID-19 Vaccine Knowledge and Attitude Scale. The study population consisted of individuals who were over the age of 18 years living in Northern Cyprus, who could speak Turkish, used social media platforms, and had a smart phone or a computer. In this study,firstly, the researchers evaluated the first candidate scale (n=50 items) and then this was reduced to 25 items. According to the literature, the study sample size (25x10) should be at least 250 participants. In this study, sampling selection was achieved via a Convenience Sampling method and 477 participants who met the study criteria and agreed to participate in this study as a volunteer took part. Also, in this study, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA)was performed with a different sample (n=120).The data was collected via Google Form (age, gender, eight socio-demographic questions and the COVID-19 Vaccine Knowledge and Attitude Scale) on internet platforms. SPSS were used for the statistical evaluation of the study. The Content Validity Index method was used for the content validity of the scale. Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett’s tests were applied to evaluate the sampling adequacy and suitability for factor analysis. Pearson correlation analysis was used for item analysis and the Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient was used to test internal consistency. Subsequently, approximately 2 weeks later, the scale was reapplied to the participants (n=85) to test-retest reliability using the paired dependent sample t-test.No statistically significant difference was found(p>0.05).The results are shown as mean ± standard deviation, number(n) and percentage (%). Aconfidence interval (CI) of 95% and p0.05). Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated for the whole scale and its factors (total scale α=0.68, Factor 1 “perceived severity” α=0.81, Factor 2. “perceived barriers” α=0.782 and Factor 3 “perceived benefits” α=0.70). CFA was also evaluated with a different sample (n=120). According to these results; the Degrees of Freedom (DF) value was found to be 101 (p