JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The World Health Organization recently declared vaccine hesitancy or refusal as a threat to global health. The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have been proven efficacious and central to combatting the pandemic. However, many - including skilled healthcare workers (HCWs) - have been hesitant in taking the vaccines. Conspiracy theories spread on social media may play a central role in fueling vaccine hesitancy.

Objective:

This study investigates HCWs' belief in COVID-19 vaccines conspiracy theories (the vaccines could alter one's DNA or genetic information; and that vaccines contain microchips), and trust in government information on COVID-19 vaccines.

Methods:

Healthcare workers in Ondo-State, Nigeria, representing different healthcare professions, were asked to participate anonymously in an online survey. The participants were asked about their beliefs in two viral conspiracy theories, and their trust in government information on COVID-19 vaccines. We used multivariable logistic regressions to investigate the relationships between trust in government information on COVID-19 vaccines and the beliefs in (a) DNA alteration, (b) microchip implant through the vaccine, and (c) willingness to accept the vaccine.

Results:

A total of 557 HCWs (28.0% men, 70.9% women) were included in the study. 26.4% (147/557) of the sampled HCWs believed COVID-19 vaccines contained digital microchips, while 30.0% (167/557) believed the vaccine could alter one's DNA or genetic information. The beliefs varied especially according to professional group, with 45.8% and 50.0% of the nurses and pharmacists, respectively, believing in the DNA alteration theory and 33.3% and 37.5% of the nurses and laboratory scientists, respectively, believing in the microchip theory. Social media was an important source of COVID-19 information for 45.4% of HCWs. In total 76.2% of the participants expressed a willingness to take the vaccine. The odds of HCWs believing that COVID-19 vaccines contained digital microchips increased significantly with decreasing level of trust in government information on COVID-19 vaccines when compared to those with a high level of trust (OR 4.6, 95%CI 2.6-8.0). We observed a similar finding in those who believed COVID-19 vaccines could alter DNA and genetic information (OR 5.2, 95%CI 3.1-8.8).

Conclusions:

Misinformation regarding COVID-19 vaccines reaches and influences HCWs. A high proportion of the sampled HCWs believed that COVID-19 vaccines contained microchips, and or that the vaccines could alter recipients’ DNA and genetic information. This might have negative consequences in terms of their own COVID-19 vaccination and on their influence on other people. Lack of trust in government and its institutions might explain the belief in both conspiracy theories and vaccine hesitancy. There is a need for healthcare stakeholders in Nigeria and around the world to actively counteract misinformation especially on social media and give HCWs necessary scientifically sound information.