Exploring the Relation Between Health Literacy, Infodemic, and Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination in Iran: A Cross- Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Health literacy (HL) plays a crucial role in navigating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, especially with the abundance of conflicting information from unauthorized sources. Objective: This study aims to measure COVID-19 vaccine acceptability, COVID-19 HL, and COVID-19 infodemic and their predictors in Iranians. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the general population in Iran between August 20, 2021 to October 29, 2021. Data were collected using a valid questionnaire with four parts. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models, generalized linear models, and ordinal regression with the Polytomous Universal Model were performed using SPSS version 26. Key Results:The study revealed that 68.6 of the participants were willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine, 45 had sufficient knowledge about COVID-19, and 52.2 were confused by false information during the pandemic. The results showed that having sufficient COVID-19 HL was significantly associated with higher acceptance of the vaccine (adjusted odds ratio = 1.52, 95 confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 2.12). Additionally, higher COVID-19 HL scores were associated with a higher adjusted odds of confusion by false information with an odds ratio of 1.12 (95 CI: 1 .11, 1 .13). Conclusion:This studyexhibits low levels ofCOVID-19 HL in Iran, and the fact that higherCOVID-19 HL is associated with higher vaccine acceptance. Because vaccination is an essential preventive measure to stop the COVID-19 pandemic, factors associated with low vaccine acceptance need to be addressed by public health strategies.