Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.21860/medflum2026_349232

The Influence of the Trust in Information Sources and Perceived Irritability of Epidemiological Measures During the COV ID-19 Pandemic on Attitudes Toward Vaccination in Family Medicine Practices Patients in Croatia

Vedrana Tudor Špalj ; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Medicinski fakultet, Katedra za obiteljsku medicinu, Rijeka, Hrvatska *
Martina Fišić Jurković ; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Medicinski fakultet, Katedra za obiteljsku medicinu, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Nina Bašić Marković ; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Medicinski fakultet, Katedra za obiteljsku medicinu, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Ana Lesac Brzić ; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Medicinski fakultet, Katedra za obiteljsku medicinu, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Tina Zavidić ; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Medicinski fakultet, Katedra za obiteljsku medicinu, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Ines Diminić Lisica ; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Medicinski fakultet, Katedra za obiteljsku medicinu, Rijeka, Hrvatska

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Aim: To explore how sources of information and the perception of epidemiological measures during the COVID-19 pandemic influenced attitudes toward SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Patients and methods: The sample consisted of 184 respondents, patients of family medicine practices in Rijeka, aged 18–87 years (median 48 years; 50% women). Data were collected using a self-administrated structured questionnaire. Predictors of attitudes toward vaccination were analysed by multiple regression. Results: Participants with higher levels of education expressed greater trust in public policy sources of information on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (such as the media, the national crisis headquarters, and the Ministry of Health) and in health professionals (family physicians, public health institutes, scientific articles, and research findings) compared to those with lower education levels (p ≤ 0.012). Patients with chronic diseases reported greater trust in health professionals as sources of information than non-chronically ill respondents (p = 0.021). Trust in sources of information was not associated with sex, but it was higher in people over 50 than younger (p ≤ 0.022). The decision to vaccinate, as well as trust in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, was equally correlated with trust in public policy sources (r = 0.370–0.478; p < 0.001) than with trust in health professionals (r = 0.342–0.449; p < 0.001). Among epidemiological measures, inter-county travel restrictions were rated as the most irritating, while physical distancing was perceived as the least irritating. In multiple regression model determinants of higher trust in the effectiveness of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine included older age, male sex, absence of previous infection, greater trust in information provided by health professionals, and lower irritability with epidemiological measures (all statistically significant at p ≤ 0.040), after adjusting for education level, chronic disease status, anxiety, and trust in public policy and alternative sources of information. Conclusion: The decision to vaccinate against COVID-19 was equally associated with trust in public policy sources and in health professionals. Greater confidence in vaccine effectiveness was observed among older, male, previously uninfected individuals who trusted information from health professionals and reported lower irritability with epidemiological measures.

Keywords

COVID-19; information sources; vaccination

Hrčak ID:

349232

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/349232

Publication date:

1.9.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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