Browsing by Author "Stojković, Vida Jeremić (59454751400)"

Objectives: Vaccine hesitancy presents one of the critical constraints in combating COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an instrument for measuring factors that contribute to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Methods: The key constructs in the study instrument were factors that constitute the “3C” model of vaccine hesitancy: Confidence, Complacency and Convenience. Using a cross-sectional, online survey design, the 8-item COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Questionnaire was administered to a sample of 667 adult citizens of Serbia in December 2020. We used confirmatory factor analysis to investigate the model that assumes three latent variables. To ensure that the instrument measures the same constructs in different groups, the measurement invariance examination was conducted. To examine criterion validity, Spearman’s correlation was applied to determine the association between the instrument total score and the single-item measuring the likelihood of getting vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis established the three-factor structure, with subscales fitting within the “3C” model of vaccine hesitancy comprising confidence, convenience and complacency. The full scalar invariance was found across gender, and the partial scalar invariance was achieved for the age, region and education level. A higher level of the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was associated with the lower likelihood to get vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Conclusion: Our scale is brief and consistent, maintaining a good fit across key socio-demographic subgroups. This result implies that the scale could be useful for quick assessment of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in various target populations. © 2022, Czech National Institute of Public Health. All rights reserved.

We aimed to present a review of current legal regulations worldwide and the main arguments for and against the requirement of parental consent for abortion in adolescents. While confidentiality in sexual and reproductive healthcare has been guaranteed to adolescents in many countries, many physicians disagree with the practice of providing confidential abortion to adolescents without parental consent. The main reason is that adolescents are not sufficiently mature and competent to independently make decisions and that they need parental protection. Adolescents who are willing to involve parents in their abortion decision will likely benefit from the adult experience and support. The existence of parental involvement legislation reduces the number of adolescent’s abortions. There is a consensus that adolescents should have access to confidential health services and that parental involvement, should not be a barrier to care. However, the majority of adolescents aged 14 to 17 are as competent as adults to understand the risks and benefits of abortion, make voluntary decision ns and provide consent without parents. Also, mandatory parental notification on the intent to undergo abortion may be a trigger for family violence which is dangerous for adolescents and may have long-term consequences. Conclusion − We support the thesis that involving parents in the process of pregnancy termination should not be mandatory. It should be the decision of a competent adolescent and the obligation rests on the medical professionals to assess the ability of the adolescent to make a competent decision about abortion. © 2021 by the University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.