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Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials

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ISSN (Print): 1574-8871
ISSN (Online): 1876-1038

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Research Article

Cancer Patients' Attitudes Towards the Anti-Covid-19 Vaccine: A Collective Case Study

Author(s): Mara Mirandola*, Federica Andreis, Chiara Deori, Sonia Abdel Kader, Anna Chiara Wedenissow, Clelia Malighetti, Fausto Meriggi and Alberto Zaniboni

Volume 19, Issue 1, 2024

Published on: 06 November, 2023

Page: [62 - 69] Pages: 8

DOI: 10.2174/0115748871258981231024103349

Price: $65

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Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to determine cancer patients’ attitudes toward the anti-COVID-19 vaccine.

Background: Historically, the scientific community’s responsibility was to investigate attitudes about vaccination. The course of COVID-19 in cancer patients makes them a high priority for vaccination. Cancer patients are at greater risk of serious complications and death because of COVID-19 infection.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to determine cancer patients’ attitudes toward the anti-COVID-19 vaccine. We examined several constructs that potentially influenced cancer patients' perceptions of the vaccine: health status, knowledge of COVID-19 and vaccination, cancer patients' perceptions of vulnerability, and attitudes toward general vaccines.

Methods: We conducted a collective case study with 200 cancer patients undergoing treatment, and divided the sample into two groups: patients who “expected to heal” (Group A) and patients who “expected to chronicize” (Group B). Data were collected through a purpose-built questionnaire consisting of 22 questions and a study of medical records.

Results: Data analysis showed that both groups, Group A (M= 3.89 SD= 0.64) and Group B (M= 3.98 SD= 0.64), had a favorable attitude toward the anti-COVID-19 vaccine. This favorable attitude toward the anti-COVID-19 vaccine depended on several factors: perception of vulnerability to COVID-19, perception of the severity of their oncological situation, and communication with oncologists.

Conclusion: Our study highlighted the plurality of factors that influence attitudes toward the anti-COVID-19 vaccine. It is therefore of fundamental importance to increase the use of the shared decision-making approach (SDM) to guide the patient to an informed choice.

Keywords: Anti-COVID-19 vaccine, collective case study, cancer, oncological patients, attitudes, shared decision making.

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