Khongyot Thanawat, Takyi Amy, Ndzeshang Dympna Siysila, Fai Karl Gwei Njuwa, Win Tin Zar, Vorlasane Latdavanh, Javes Gibson Omwansa, Kaneko Satoshi, Moriyasu Taeko
School of Pharmacy, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
Health Information Officer, Apam, Central Region, Ghana.
Trop Med Health. 2025 May 19;53(1):71. doi: 10.1186/s41182-025-00751-3.
The mental health problems during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have influenced their decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among health-related university students, with potential differences across countries. This study elucidated the association between mental health and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy of health-related university students in Thailand, Laos, and Japan. We additionally examined the other factors that might relate to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.
The study conducted an online survey from February 4 to 27, 2021, among undergraduate students enrolled in health-related programs at University of Health Sciences (Lao PDR), Walailak University (Thailand), and Nagasaki University (Japan) using a non-probability convenience sampling method. The data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression to identify associations between mental health and self-reported COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and other potential factors.
This study analyzed data from 841 students. Japanese students attended hybrid classes (82.45%), while those in Laos and Thailand had entirely online courses. All mental health assessment scores (depression, anxiety, and stress) were higher in Thailand and Laos compared to Japan. Students with very high-stress scores had the highest odds of vaccine hesitancy (aOR 2.67, 95% CI 1.45-4.93). Fear of COVID-19 increased hesitancy, while unbelief in vaccine protection significantly increased it (aOR 2.59, 95% CI 1.86-3.59). Females displayed about two times greater hesitancy (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 2.43, 95% CI 1.68-3.51), which correlated with higher mental health scores.
We highlighted a significant association between mental health and self-report COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Interventions, including tailored support, awareness campaigns, and psychological services, can foster trust and vaccine uptake.
2019年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）大流行期间的心理健康问题可能影响了与健康相关专业大学生接种COVID-19疫苗的决定，不同国家可能存在差异。本研究阐明了泰国、老挝和日本与健康相关专业大学生的心理健康与COVID-19疫苗犹豫之间的关联。我们还研究了可能与COVID-19疫苗犹豫相关的其他因素。
该研究于2021年2月4日至27日采用非概率便利抽样方法，对老挝人民民主共和国健康科学大学、泰国瓦莱拉大学和日本长崎大学与健康相关专业的本科生进行了在线调查。使用多元逻辑回归分析数据，以确定心理健康与自我报告的COVID-19疫苗犹豫及其他潜在因素之间的关联。
本研究分析了841名学生的数据。日本学生参加混合课程（82.45%），而老挝和泰国的学生全部参加在线课程。与日本相比，泰国和老挝学生的所有心理健康评估得分（抑郁、焦虑和压力）都更高。压力得分非常高的学生疫苗犹豫的几率最高（调整后的比值比，aOR 2.67，95%置信区间1.45 - 4.93）。对COVID-19的恐惧增加了犹豫程度，而对疫苗保护的不信任则显著增加了犹豫程度（aOR 2.59，95%置信区间1.86 - 3.59）。女性的犹豫程度约为男性的两倍（调整后的比值比，aOR 2.43，95%置信区间1.68 - 3.51），这与更高的心理健康得分相关。
我们强调了心理健康与自我报告的COVID-19疫苗犹豫之间的显著关联。包括量身定制的支持、宣传活动和心理服务在内的干预措施可以促进信任并提高疫苗接种率。
