| Abstract [eng] |
Background. Lithuania is one of the many European countries, which in 2020 – 2022 had a high COVID–19 disease incidence rate. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological patterns of COVID–19 disease in Lithuania in 2020–2022 and identify the reasons for vaccination or non-vaccination against COVID–19 disease in the Lithuanian population. Objectives. (1) To describe the epidemiological patterns of COVID–19 disease (time dynamics, territorial distribution and morbidity in various groups of people) in 2020 – 2022; (2) identify and describe the reasons for vaccination or non-vaccination against COVID–19 disease in the Lithuanian population. Methods. The description of epidemiological patterns of COVID–19 disease in Lithuania was performed using the data of the Lithuania Official Statistics Portal. Also, an anonymous survey of Lithuanian residents was conducted. Results. The average incidence rate in 2020 – 2022 was 15223,14, with the highest proportion of cases occurring in February, January and March. The highest incidence rate per 100 thousand inhabitants was in Vilnius compared to other counties (p=0,03). The incidence was lightly higher in women than in men, and the incidence was recorded in all age groups. The highest mortality rate per 100 thousand inhabitants was in 2021. Reasons for not vaccinating against COVID–19 disease: “Due to the unclear components of vaccines, their reliability and / or effectiveness” (40,32%), “Due to the unknown long-term effect of vaccines on the human body (28,32%). Reasons for vaccination against COVID–19 disease: “Because I believe that these vaccines are safe and I wanted to contribute to the development of herd immunity“ (51,61%), “I was afraid of infecting family members, friends and / or colleagues” (48,39%). Conclusions. From 2020 to 2022 the morbidity of COVID–19 disease increased. Cases are recorded in all months and in all age groups, slightly more often among women than among men. The most common reasons for not vaccinating were: unclear components in vaccine, reliability, effectiveness, unknown long-term effects of vaccines on the human body, fear of possible complications, distrust of all vaccines. The most common reasons for vaccination were: knowing that vaccines are safe, the desire to contribute to the development of herd immunity, the fear of infecting family members ant other people, fear of being infected yourself, due to the easing of previous restrictions. Keywords: COVID–19 disease, coronavirus infection, SARS–CoV–2 virus, epidemiological patterns, vaccination motives, non-vaccination motives. |
