Knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of incarcerated people regarding COVID-19 and related vaccination: a survey in Italy

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 960
• Main Authors: Di Giuseppe, Gabriella, Pelullo, Concetta P., Lanzano, Raffaele, Napolitano, Francesco, Pavia, Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 19-01-2022; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 692/699; 692/699/255; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Chronic illnesses; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 - psychology; COVID-19 - virology; COVID-19 vaccines; COVID-19 Vaccines - administration & dosage; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease transmission; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Immunization; Imprisonment; Influenza; Italy - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; multidisciplinary; Prisoners; Prisoners - psychology; Public health; Respiratory Aerosols and Droplets - chemistry; SARS-CoV-2 - isolation & purification; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vaccination; Vaccination - psychology; Vaccination Hesitancy - psychology; Vaccines; Young Adult; Italy
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04919-3

The cross-sectional study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices toward COVID-19 disease of incarcerated people. A total of 685 subjects were surveyed. 94% were aware that respiratory droplets are involved in the transmission of COVID-19, and 77.2% that patients with chronic conditions are at risk of a more severe disease. Overall, 92.7% of respondents considered COVID-19 a more severe disease compared to influenza, and 85.4% believed that COVID-19 could cause serious consequences in their institution. Only 22.6% were self-confident about their ability to protect themselves from SARS-CoV-2 infection. This attitude was significantly higher in those who were involved in working activities in the institution, who did not report at least one common symptom compatible with COVID-19 in the previous 3 months, who did not show generalized anxiety symptoms, and did not need additional information. 63.9% of incarcerated people expressed willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccination. Older subjects, who knew that a COVID-19 vaccination is available, believed that COVID-19 is more serious than influenza, and were self-confident about their ability to protect themselves from SARS-CoV-2 infection, were significantly more willing to undergo COVID-19 vaccination. Public health response to COVID-19 in prisons should address vaccine hesitancy to increase vaccine confidence among incarcerated people.