Multilevel analysis of individual, household, and community factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination intention: evidence from the 2021 Korea Community Health Survey

Article information

Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2025;16(2):169-180

Publication date (electronic) : 2025 February 21

doi : https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2024.0254

Ji-seon Seong^1,2, Jong-Yeon Kim^,3,4

¹Division of Infectious Disease Control, Daegu Metropolitan City Hall, Daegu, Republic of Korea

²Graduate Student, College of Nursing, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea

³Department of Public Health, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea

⁴Department of Preventive Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea

Corresponding author: Jong-Yeon Kim Department of Preventive Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, 680 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea E-mail: kom824@knu.ac.kr

Received 2024 September 22; Revised 2024 December 16; Accepted 2025 January 22.

Abstract

Graphical abstract

Introduction

Nearly 5 years have passed since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus an international public health emergency, yet the burden of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to have uneven impacts at the population level. On January 30, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 the sixth Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in history. Since then, the world, including the Republic of Korea, has grappled with the pandemic. In May 2023, the WHO officially announced the end of the COVID-19 PHEIC, transitioning from an emergency response to a long-term management framework [1].

The COVID-19 vaccine, introduced in 2021, was expected to be a key strategy for mitigating the pandemic’s impact and reducing its spread [2]. However, achieving this goal requires a sufficient vaccination rate [3]. Unfortunately, widespread vaccine hesitancy or rejection has emerged due to distrust in vaccine effectiveness and concerns about potential side effects. This hesitancy has also fueled resentment toward government policies, leading to social conflict during the early stages of vaccine rollout [4]. Consequently, numerous studies have been conducted on vaccine safety and strategies to promote vaccination [5,6].

Systematic reviews from other countries have identified factors associated with vaccine hesitancy or rejection, including younger age, lower education levels, and lower socioeconomic status. However, individuals exist within complex social contexts where interactions between personal and environmental factors shape behavior [7]. Vaccine-related knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions can vary significantly based on individual characteristics and the social environment [8,9].

In the Republic of Korea, dozens of studies have explored factors influencing vaccination, but most focus solely on individual-level factors. To date, no study has examined how both individual and community characteristics affect COVID-19 vaccination intentions. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the individual, household, and community-level factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination intentions among the general population in the Republic of Korea. Using multilevel analysis, we assess the combined impact of these factors on vaccination intentions. By doing so, we aim to contribute to strengthening the Republic of Korea’s public health emergency response system and provide foundational data for developing effective vaccination policies against COVID-19 and future emerging infectious diseases.

Materials and Methods

Results

Individual, Household and Community Factors Affecting Intention for COVID-19 Vaccination

Individual factors

By age group, the intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was highest among individuals aged 50 to 64 (98.0%), followed by those aged 65 and older (97.1%) and those aged 19 to 49 (94.6%). Vaccine intention was higher among individuals who were not social assistance recipients (96.1%) and those with active economic activity status (96.7%) (p<0.001). Regarding education level, the highest intention was observed among those with a middle school education or less (96.9%), followed by those with a bachelor’s degree or higher (96.2%) and high school graduates (95.6%). In terms of understanding health information, the highest intention was among those who found it easy (96.2%), followed by those who found it difficult (95.9%), very easy (95.7%), and very difficult (92.6%). For attitudes toward social assets, higher quartiles were associated with a higher proportion of individuals with vaccination intention (p<0.001). In terms of subjective health level, the proportion of individuals with vaccination intention was highest among those with an average health level (96.4%), followed by those with a good health level (96.2%) and a poor health level (93.5%). For subjective obesity level, the proportion was highest among those who were thin (96.4%), followed by those with a normal weight (96.2%) and those who were obese (94.2%) (p<0.001). The proportion of individuals with vaccination intention was higher among those with a history of annual flu vaccination (97.9%) and those who had a health exam in the past 2 years (97.0%) (p<0.001). Concern about COVID-19 infection was higher among those who were somewhat concerned (96.3%) and concerned (96.3%) compared to those who were not concerned (93.8%). Additionally, a higher subjective score of COVID-19’s impact on daily life was associated with a higher proportion of individuals with vaccination intention (p<0.001) (Table 1).

Table 1.

Individual characteristics of study subjects

Household factors

For monthly household income, the proportion of individuals with vaccination intention was highest among those with an income of 2–2.99 million Korean won (KRW) (97.3%), followed by those with an income of 4 million KRW or more (96.6%), 1–1.99 million KRW (96.1%), 3–3.99 million KRW (95.8%), and less than 1 million KRW (95.4%) (p<0.001). By marital status, the proportion was highest among married individuals (96.8%), followed by those who were divorced or widowed (96.3%) and unmarried (93.9%) (p<0.001). The proportion of individuals with vaccination intention was also higher among those living with a spouse (96.7%) (p<0.001) (Table 2).

Table 2.

Household-level characteristics of the study subjects

Community factors

The proportion of individuals with vaccination intention was generally higher with increased rates of practicing social distancing (Q4, 96.4%; Q2, 96.1%; Q3, 96.0%; Q1, 95.4%) (p=0.004), while other variables did not show significant differences (Table 3).

Table 3.

Community level characteristics for study subjects

Factors Affecting Intention to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine

To identify individual, household, and community-level factors influencing the intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, multilevel analysis was conducted, with the results presented in Tables 4 and 5. First, in the null model, which did not include explanatory variables, the variance in vaccination intention between communities was estimated to determine whether differences existed across communities. The results showed statistically significant variances at both the household and community levels, indicating the presence of group-level variability. This suggests that community-level effects on vaccination intention exist, highlighting the need to estimate these effects through multilevel analysis.

Table 4.

Factors affecting COVID-19 vaccination intention according to multilevel analysis-1

Table 5.

Factors affecting COVID-19 vaccination intention by multilevel analysis-2

In model 1, the community-level intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.019, and the household residual ICC was 0.149, showing no change compared to the null model. However, in model 2, the community ICC decreased to 0.013, and in model 3, it further decreased to 0.007, while the household ICC decreased to 0.143. This indicates that including individual, household, and community-level variables explained additional variability in vaccination intention across communities and households.

At the individual level, all variables showed significant differences. The intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was higher among older individuals, specifically those aged 65 and older (aOR, 3.21; 95% CI, 2.92–3.53) and those aged 50 to 64 years (aOR, 2.53; 95% CI, 2.35–2.73). It was also higher among individuals with an active economic activity status (aOR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.70–1.89) and those who found understanding health information easy (aOR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.72–2.17), very easy (aOR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.63–2.10), or difficult (aOR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.56–1.99) compared to those who found it very difficult. Attitudes toward social assets were positively associated with higher quartiles (Q4: aOR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.47–1.69; Q3: aOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.28–1.47; Q2: aOR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14–1.30).

Regarding the subjective health level, higher vaccination intention was found for those with good (aOR, 2.24; 95% CI, 2.09–2.41) or average health (aOR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.97–2.35) compared to poor health. Subjective obesity level showed higher intention among those who were thin (aOR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.52–1.74) or of normal weight (aOR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.25–1.42) compared to those who were obese. Vaccination intention was also higher among individuals who had a health exam history in the past 2 years (aOR, 2.11; 95% CI, 2.00–2.22) and increased with higher subjective scores of COVID-19’s impact on daily life (≥70 points: aOR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.20–1.37; 40–60 points: aOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.18–1.33). Concern about COVID-19 infection was associated with higher vaccination intention among those who were concerned (aOR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.87–2.12) or somewhat concerned (aOR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.62–1.87) compared to those who were not concerned. At the household level, the intention to receive the vaccine was higher in households with 4 or more members compared to those with only one member (aOR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05–1.28). It was also higher among those with a monthly household income of 4 million KRW or more compared to those with an income below 1 million KRW (aOR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.11–1.35). No significant associations were found for other variables.

At the community level, higher vaccination intention was associated with a higher flu vaccination rate in Q4 compared to Q1 (aOR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01–1.26), greater concern about COVID-19 infection (Q4 compared to Q1: aOR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01–1.25; Q3: aOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01–1.25), and higher COVID-19 vaccination rates (Q3 compared to Q1: aOR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.21–1.45; Q4: aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.06–1.32; Q2: aOR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02–1.23).

Discussion

This study aimed to comprehensively examine how individual, household, and community characteristics influence individuals’ intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through multilevel analysis. While previous studies have primarily focused on individual factors, this study is unique in its simultaneous analysis of various factors, including household and community characteristics, that impact vaccine intention. The results confirm that not only individual characteristics but also household and community characteristics play significant roles in shaping vaccination intentions. This finding suggests that the decision to get vaccinated is not determined solely by individual factors but is also influenced by the social context of the household and community in which the individual resides. Therefore, when developing vaccination recommendation policies and campaigns, it is essential to adopt a socio-ecological approach that considers not only individual characteristics but also household- and community-level factors. This study provides valuable foundational data for creating more effective and comprehensive vaccination policies.

Individual characteristics, including age, sex, education level, understanding of health information, social assistance recipient status, economic activity status, attitudes toward social assets, subjective health level, subjective obesity level, health exam history, concern about COVID-19 infection, and subjective scores of COVID-19’s impact on daily life, showed significant associations with vaccination intention.

The observation that vaccination intention increases with age is consistent with previous studies [11–13] and can be explained by several factors. Initially, vaccination policies targeted older adults [11], and outreach efforts and public health messages specifically aimed at this population have further emphasized the importance of vaccinations [14]. Furthermore, the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 infection is reported to be higher in older adults [15]. Therefore, older adults have demonstrated a higher willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19, driven by their heightened perception of the threat of severe illness [16].

It was also observed that individuals with lower understanding of health information were less likely to intend to get vaccinated, which aligns with existing research linking lower understanding of health information to reduced vaccination intention [17]. Since understanding of health information generally correlates with educational attainment, it may seems counterintuitive that individuals with higher education levels exhibit lower vaccination intention. Howeve, this discrepancy could stem from factors such as differing perceptions of vaccine safety and necessity among highly educated individuals. Previous studies have shown that higher education is typically linked with greater COVID-19 vaccination intention, while older adults are more likely to have lower education levels. This suggests that lower-educated older adults, who were mandated to be vaccinated at the time of the survey, may have already been vaccinated regardless of their personal intentions. Consequently, these groups may have been classified as having vaccination intention according to the study’s operational definition, or it may be due to the fact that higher education levels correspond to a more accurate understanding of information [18]. Therefore, from an educational standpoint, it is essential to enhance accessibility by providing clear and straightforward information about the effectiveness, safety, and administration of vaccines to vulnerable populations.

The finding that individuals with no economic activity status or those receiving social assistance have lower vaccination intentions aligns with previous research indicating that socially disadvantaged groups tend to have lower vaccination intentions [19,20]. The disparity in vaccination intentions from a socioeconomic perspective leads to differential outcomes in the practice of infection prevention measures, subsequently increasing the risk of COVID-19 infection among different groups [21]. As noted in previous research, socioeconomically vulnerable groups face higher COVID-19 infection risks, lower medical accessibility, and increased risk of severe illness and death. Consequently, lower socioeconomic conditions contribute to disproportionately negative effects on infection risk, treatment, and mortality, exacerbating the burden on vulnerable groups and leading to increased health inequities [19,22]. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen safety nets for socially vulnerable groups during crises like COVID-19, ensuring that these populations are better protected and supported to mitigate the heightened risks they face.

It was found that a more positive attitude toward social assets was associated with a greater intention to get vaccinated. Although no studies have directly examined the relationship between social assets and vaccination intention, existing research indicates that social assets are linked to positive changes in health status [23,24]. Therefore, it can be interpreted that a more positive attitude toward social assets positively influences vaccination intention. Furthermore, strengthening social assets and building trust in everyday life can help communities respond more effectively to infectious disease crises. A strong foundation of social trust and support networks enhances cooperation and compliance with public health measures, contributing to a more resilient and coordinated response during pandemics. These efforts not only improve crisis management but also support higher vaccination rates, as individuals in trusted and well-connected communities are more likely to accept and participate in vaccination programs.

The finding that higher subjective health levels are associated with greater vaccination intention is consistent with previous research [25]. A likely explanation for this association is that individuals with very poor health may have concerns about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine and potential side effects [26].

Therefore, it is necessary to provide reliable information about the effectiveness and safety of vaccination to groups in need of health management. Additionally, there is a need for intervention strategies and practical support systems that can facilitate actual vaccination. Implementing clear support measures to address potential side effects following vaccination would also be beneficial.

The finding that individuals who perceive themselves as thin had higher vaccination intentions than those who perceived themselves as obese is inconsistent with some previous studies examining the relationship between body mass index and vaccination intention [27]. This discrepancy may be due to differences between perceived obesity and actual obesity levels, as identified in prior research [27]. It is also possible that those who perceive themselves as obese are more concerned about vaccine side effects, which may lead them to avoid vaccination. Further research is needed to explore these possibilities.

The observation that individuals who have undergone a health exam in the past 2 years have higher vaccination intentions suggests that a general interest in one’s health status can influence vaccination practices [28]. Providing opportunities for individuals to assess their basic health status and fostering an environment that encourages ongoing health management can help promote vaccination.

The finding that individuals who were concerned or somewhat concerned about COVID-19 infection had higher vaccination intentions than those who were not concerned is consistent with previous research [20]. Risk perception is a crucial factor influencing risk behavior, and individuals with lower risk perception tend to engage in riskier behaviors or reduce preventive actions [29]. A lack of awareness about the risk of COVID-19 infection can lead to vaccine refusal, so educational interventions to improve risk perception are necessary. However, overstating the risk of infection can lead to fear and anxiety, potentially causing individuals to disengage from public health measures or distrust health information [30]. Therefore, it is essential to provide accurate and balanced information about the risks of infection, emphasizing realistic threats without causing unnecessary alarm. Clear and factual communication can help improve public understanding, support informed decision-making, and promote vaccination.

The finding that a higher subjective COVID-19 daily life impact score was associated with greater vaccination intention aligns with previous research, which suggests that individuals who view COVID-19 as a serious threat are more likely to get vaccinated [11]. Shmueli [31] defined perceived severity as an individual’s belief about the difficulties a disease may cause medically and socially, such as pain or missed workdays. In this context, the subjective COVID-19 daily life impact score can be considered an important predictor of COVID-19 vaccination intention.

In terms of household characteristics, monthly household income and the number of household members showed a significant association with vaccination intention. Individuals from households with 4 or more members were found to have a higher likelihood of vaccination, suggesting that family members may influence the decision to get vaccinated [32]. Previous research indicates that fear or anxiety related to new infectious diseases often arises from concerns about the risk of infection for oneself or family members [33,34]. Additionally, the worry of being a potential transmission route to other family members can increase vaccination intention, as individuals may feel responsible for protecting those around them. This may explain the association between having a larger number of family members and a higher level of vaccination intention. Promoting vaccination through family-oriented strategies could thus be an effective approach.

It was found that individuals with a monthly household income of 4 million KRW or more were more likely to intend to get vaccinated compared to those with an income below 1 million KRW, but no significant results were observed in other income groups. A possible explanation for this may be that socioeconomic factors affect an individual’s ability to engage in health-promoting and disease-preventing behaviors and to effectively utilize healthcare services [22]. Higher household income not only reflects better economic status, but may also indicate a greater number of economically active individuals within the household. Therefore, the combined impact of household income and concerns about infection among economically active members might exert a complex influence on vaccination intention.

In terms of community factors, higher COVID-19 and influenza vaccine coverage rates in an area, along with greater concerns about COVID-19 infection, were associated with an increased likelihood of vaccination. This is largely due to the formation of a distinct social identity within vaccination groups, where individuals align their attitudes and behaviors with those of the group [35]. Studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between the intention to vaccinate and the vaccination rates among friends and family, underscoring the significant role of social influence in shaping vaccination behaviors [36]. Observing community members getting vaccinated without experiencing adverse effects diminishes personal hesitations and motivates others to do the same. Higher community vaccination rates enhance the perception of safety and reinforce social norms, making individuals feel more comfortable and supported in their decision to vaccinate [37]. Networking with others who accept the COVID-19 vaccine is a strong predictor of vaccination intention, as it reinforces the perception of vaccination as a normative and safe behavior [38]. Conversely, the public goods dilemma occurs when some individuals opt out of vaccination, relying on the high vaccination rates of others to provide sufficient herd immunity [39]. This behavior reflects a tendency to avoid perceived costs, such as side effects, while still benefiting from community protection. This underscores the importance of fostering positive social influence and engaging the community to promote higher vaccination rates, particularly among hesitant populations. Encouraging community involvement and addressing concerns with accurate information can help mitigate hesitancy and ensure broader vaccine uptake.

This study has several limitations. First, a substantial number of participants were already vaccinated in accordance with government policies at the time of the survey. This precludes a uniform assessment of vaccination intentions across all participants, potentially limiting the generalizability of the study results. Second, there is a time discrepancy of up to 5 months in the measurement of individual, household, and some community factors. The KCHS, which provided data on individual and household factors, was conducted from August to October 2021, while demographic factors such as the aging rate and population density were measured in December 2021. Third, the study did not consider factors such as knowledge and attitudes toward COVID-19 or vaccines, which could influence vaccination intention. Fourth, common issues associated with survey-based research, such as non-response bias and social desirability bias, cannot be ruled out, and thus the results should be interpreted with caution. Finally, since the data were collected in 2021, the results may not fully reflect subsequent changes in the COVID-19 situation or related policies. Nevertheless, we believe the findings remain significant as they capture the patterns of vaccination intention during the early stages of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Despite these limitations, this study’s strength lies in its multilevel analysis of individual, household, and community-level factors, which distinguishes it from previous research that focused solely on individual factors affecting COVID-19 vaccination intention. The results suggest that promoting COVID-19 vaccination requires a social-ecological approach that considers not just individual factors but also household and community networks. Additionally, in pandemic crisis situations, it is crucial to develop tailored policies for high-risk groups identified through this study to protect the health rights of socially vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

The multilevel analysis of this study demonstrated that variables at the individual, household, and community levels affected the intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, strategies for encouraging individual COVID-19 vaccination are likely to be more effective when combined with household and community-level approaches. It is essential to integrate both individual and social health factors into vaccination policies to reflect these interconnected elements.

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