Assessing COVID-19 Booster Hesitancy and Its Correlates: An Early Evidence from India

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 mutants, waning immunity, and breakthrough infections prompted the use of booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to fight against the pandemic. India started booster doses in January 2022 and it is critical to determine the intention of booster dose uptake and its correlates. Therefore, the current cross-sectional study aimed to investigate booster dose acceptability and associated predictors among the Indian population. A convenience sampling technique was utilized to recruit a sample of 687 Indian residents. A 55-item psychometric validated survey tool was used to assess booster dose acceptability, vaccine literacy and vaccine confidence. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Over 50% of participants reported their willingness to take the booster dose. Among the group not willing to take the booster dose (n = 303, 44.1%), a significantly larger proportion of respondents were unvaccinated with the primary series (12.2% vs. 5.2%, p \u3c 0.001), had an annual income below 2.96 lacs/annum (52.8% vs. 33.1, p \u3c 0.001), were residents of rural areas (38.0% vs. 23.2%, p \u3c 0.001), were not living with vulnerable individuals (78.5% vs. 65.2%, p \u3c 0.001) and did not have family/friends who had tested positive for COVID-19 (54.6% vs. 35.1%, p = 0.001). Demographic, vaccine variables and multi-theory model subscales to predict the initiation of booster dose among hesitant participants were statistically significant, R2 = 0.561, F (26, 244) = 11.978, p \u3c 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.514. Findings of this study highlight the need to develop evidence-based interventions to promote vaccine uptake, particularly among hard-to-reach communities living in developing countries

Assessing COVID-19 Booster Hesitancy and Its Correlates: An Early Evidence from India

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 mutants, waning immunity, and breakthrough infections prompted the use of booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to fight against the pandemic. India started booster doses in January 2022 and it is critical to determine the intention of booster dose uptake and its correlates. Therefore, the current cross-sectional study aimed to investigate booster dose acceptability and associated predictors among the Indian population. A convenience sampling technique was utilized to recruit a sample of 687 Indian residents. A 55-item psychometric validated survey tool was used to assess booster dose acceptability, vaccine literacy and vaccine confidence. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Over 50% of participants reported their willingness to take the booster dose. Among the group not willing to take the booster dose (n = 303, 44.1%), a significantly larger proportion of respondents were unvaccinated with the primary series (12.2% vs. 5.2%, p < 0.001), had an annual income below 2.96 lacs/annum (52.8% vs. 33.1, p < 0.001), were residents of rural areas (38.0% vs. 23.2%, p < 0.001), were not living with vulnerable individuals (78.5% vs. 65.2%, p < 0.001) and did not have family/friends who had tested positive for COVID-19 (54.6% vs. 35.1%, p = 0.001). Demographic, vaccine variables and multi-theory model subscales to predict the initiation of booster dose among hesitant participants were statistically significant, R2 = 0.561, F (26, 244) = 11.978, p < 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.514. Findings of this study highlight the need to develop evidence-based interventions to promote vaccine uptake, particularly among hard-to-reach communities living in developing countries

A Study of Residents’ Perception of Sustainable Coastal Tourism on Calangute Beach, Goa

. The present study aims to know the resident’s perception regarding the economics and socio-cultural impacts of coastal tourism on the world class tourist destination of Calangute beach, Goa. The purpose of selecting this topic is so far there has been no study focusing on the planning and management of coastal tourism in Goa from the holistic perception of residents, since they are the most vulnerable section facing the negative impacts of rampant expansion of tourism in Goa. The present study identifies the factors influencing coastal tourism sustainability from the local perspective. Design/Methodology/Approach: The present study applies research tools like direct observations, structured questionnaire and interview method to collect data from a random sample of 180 residents and using a five-point Likert scale and Chi square test statistics, the study arrives at some major realistic findings. The Findings: The major finding of the study is there is a greater percentage of residents who perceive that the environmental and socio-cultural sustainability is negatively impacted due to massive growth of tourism activity in this part of Goa’s coastal belt, while for the perception on economic sustainability the results are mixed. The various statistical tools give the same results. The study recommends local people’s involvement at a decentralised level for chalking out a participatory coastal tourism management program. Social Implications: Local resident participation and feed back in the planning, processing and implementation of coastal tourism policies and programs will facilitate inclusive and sustainable tourism growth on the Calangute beach belt of Goa