Validation of the Chinese version of the vaccine conspiracy beliefs scale during COVID-19 pandemic and its correlates.

OBJECTIVE

To validate the Chinese version of the vaccine conspiracy beliefs scale (VCBS) and to investigate and compare its correlates among healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

From March 19 to April 05, 2021, a nationwide cross-sectional online survey was administered to Chinese individuals aged 16 and above. The study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the VCBS. A binary logistic or linear regression model, along with mediation analysis, was employed to explore the relationship between vaccine conspiracy beliefs and its correlates among healthcare workers.

RESULTS

The VCBS demonstrated robust psychometric properties, showing satisfactory results from both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, strong internal consistency (KR-20 = 0.947), and calibration validity. Measurement invariance (MI) was also observed. Additionally, individuals' vaccine conspiracy beliefs, as measured by the VCBS, mediate the relationship between occupation and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (95 % CI [-2.229, -1.060]), as well as COVID-19 (95 % CI [0.096, 0.304]), influenza (95 % CI [0.075, 0.304]), and HPV (95 % CI [0.009, 0.236]) vaccination uptakes.

CONCLUSION

The Chinese adaptation of the VCBS proves adept at assessing vaccine conspiracy beliefs among Chinese individuals aged 16 and above. Notably, the healthcare workers are less likely to exhibit COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and are more likely to receive COVID-19, influenza, and HPV vaccines. This tendency is partly related to their weaker conspiracy beliefs about vaccination.