Association Between Political Affiliation and Attitudes towards COVID-19 Vaccination and Risk Mitigation Strategies Among Adults in Georgia, December 2020 Open Access

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of public acceptance of public health and disease mitigation measures. Understanding the attitudes and perceptions toward disease mitigation strategies is critical to improving adherence to these same strategies.

Methods In an online survey, 1,226 adults over 18 years of age residing in Georgia were surveyed between November 10^th and December 8^th, 2020 regarding their attitudes and perceptions regarding mask wearing, receiving a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, and consequences of COVID-19. Utilizing Poisson regression with robust variance estimates, we evaluated the relationship between political affiliation and willingness to receive and COVID-19 vaccine and adherence and perceptions toward masks.

Results Seventy percent of participants were female; 42.0% of participants were Black or African American; 49.4% of participants lived outside of the 29 County Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA); 71.3% of Republicans lived outside of the Atlanta MSA. In analyses adjusting for race, ethnicity, gender, age, employment status, and urbanicity, Republicans were significantly less likely than Democrats to agree that they would receive a COVID-19 vaccination, that they always wear a mask while in indoor public spaces, that they view wearing masks as important, and that they appreciate seeing other people in masks. Regardless of political party, “my doctor” was the most commonly selected as the most trusted source of COVID-19 vaccination information.

Conclusion There appears to be a relationship between political affiliation and acceptance and adherence to COVID-19 mitigation strategies. This provides an opportunity for public health practitioners to partner with political leaders in future crises to collectively address disease mitigation. 

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 1

METHODS ................................................................................................................................................... 2

Study Design and Setting .......................................................................................................................... 2

Study Population ....................................................................................................................................... 3

Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................................ 4

RESULTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 4

General Demographic Information ........................................................................................................... 4

Participant Attitudes and Perceptions toward a SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine ................................................... 6

Participant Attitudes and Perceptions toward Mask Wearing ................................................................... 7

Most and Least Trusted Sources for Information related to a SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine.............................. 8

DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................................................... 9

CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................................... 12

SUPPLEMENT ........................................................................................................................................... 14

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................... 17

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Epidemiology
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health Health Sciences, Epidemiology
Keyword	Mask Vaccine COVID-19 Political Affiliation
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Allison Chamberlain, Emory University

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