COVID-19 VACCINATION AMONG PEOPLE WITH DRUG ADDICTIONS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: The challenges of the coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic dictate the need to ensure equal
access to treatment and prevention services. This has become especially relevant in the context of widespread campaigns
for vaccination of the population. Meanwhile, significant issues arise in the coverage of immunoprophylaxis for vulnerable
social groups and in particular those who use psychoactive substances (PS). The uptake of and attitudes to COVID-19
vaccines in people with drug addictions remain uncertain.
The aim of the study is to assess the coverage of COVID-19 vaccination and its determinants among people with drug
addictions.
Materials and methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted among 427 individuals with drug addictions by means of paper
and electronic questionnaires. Socio-demographic characteristics, history of COVID-19, attitudes towards the pandemic, sources of
information on preventive and therapeutic measures were recorded. Comparisons were made between two groups of respondents
with different COVID-19 vaccination status. Descriptive statistical procedures included the calculation of the median and interquartile
range, as well as proportions. The comparison was made using the Mann-Whitney test, contingency tables and the chi-square test.
With logistic regression, the quantitative values of the abovementioned characteristics (odds ratio – OR- with 95% confidence
interval) were determined for the probability of receiving COVID-19 vaccines.
Results: The proportion of those who reported receiving at least one dose of the vaccine was 61.4%. Persons who did
not receive COVID-19 vaccines (n=165) were more likely to have lower level of education (χ2=17.17; p=0.004) and problems
with employment (χ2=6.45; p=0.01), as well as to report lower monthly income (χ2=22.48; p<0.001). They less often
indicated severe consequences and mortal cases due to COVID-19 among family members (χ2
complications=12.93; p=0.002;
χ
2mortal=10.31; p=0.006). Only a fifth of all the respondents adequately assessed the high risks of contracting COVID-19 when
using PS. Regression analysis revealed the following factors that increase the likelihood of receiving COVID-19 vaccines:
annual GP visits (at least once a year) − OR = 2.06 (1.27; 3.35), receiving information about vaccines from physicians − OR
= 2, 23 (1.24; 4.03), trust in medical specialists − OR=1.9 (1.15; 3.16).
Conclusions: insufficient access to reliable information about COVID-19 treatment and prevention among people with
drug addictions, as well as their underestimation of the risks of the infection, dictates the need for educational interventions
among this population group.