Development and validation of a questionnaire to measure attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination and pandemic

Abstract

Background Accurate measurement of individuals’ attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination and pandemic is critical to understand the way that people respond during a major crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective To develop and validate a questionnaire to assess attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination and pandemic. Methods We performed a reliability and validity study in a sample of the general population in Greece. Data were collected online through social media between 15 August and 7 September 2021. Thus, a convenience sample was obtained. Reliability and validity of the questionnaire were assessed with a Delphi study, an exploratory factor analysis, and a test-retest study. Also, we calculated Cronbach’s coefficient alpha for the factors that emerged from the exploratory factor analysis. Results The final study included 1959 adults from the general population in Greece. Our four-factor model explained 73% of the variance and confirmed out initial hypothesis regarding the factors of the questionnaire. In particular, we found the following four factors: (a) fear against the COVID-19 (five items), (b) information regarding the COVID-19 (two items), (c) compliance with hygiene measures (two items), and (d) trust in COVID-19 vaccination (seven items). Cronbach’s coefficients alpha for the four factors that emerged from the exploratory factor analysis were greater than 0.82. Pearson’s correlation coefficients for the 16 items and the four factors were greater than 0.67 (p-value<0.001 in all cases). Conclusions We developed a reliable and valid questionnaire to measure attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination and pandemic. Further studies should be conducted to expand our knowledge and infer more valid results.