Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors Associated With COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in a Mixed Urban-Rural Population in Eastern Poland.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Vaccine hesitancy remains an important public health challenge, particularly in settings where vaccine uptake may vary according to sociodemographic and contextual factors. This study aimed to assess sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination uptake among healthy individuals and patients with chronic comorbidities attending a primary health care clinic in Siedlce, Eastern Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2, 2022, and January 3, 2023, in a convenience sample of 458 adult primary care patients. Lifestyle was assessed using the Lifestyle Screening Questionnaire (LSQ)-Cavendish Diagnostic Questionnaire. RESULTS Full COVID-19 vaccination was mainly associated with older age, higher educational attainment, and retirement status. In the adjusted model, age remained a strong predictor of vaccination uptake; participants with higher education had greater odds of full vaccination relative to those with primary or lower secondary education. Rural residence was independently associated with higher odds of full vaccination, despite a borderline association in unadjusted analyses. Several lifestyle domains differed between vaccination groups in descriptive analyses; the overall pattern did not indicate a clear independent association between lifestyle and vaccination uptake. CONCLUSIONS In this primary care sample from Eastern Poland, COVID-19 vaccination uptake was mainly associated with age, education, retirement status, and place of residence rather than a consistent lifestyle profile. The finding of higher vaccination uptake among rural participants contrasts with international literature and may reflect the local health care context. Vaccination strategies should consider regional and primary care-based differences in access, trust, and patient engagement.