Investigating the Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours of Parents Regarding Vaccine Rejection

Abstract

Abstract Background With an escalating prevalence, vaccine rejection is one of the ten threats to global health as identified by the World Health Organization in 2019. Vaccine rejection and hesitancy can be defined as the hesitancy of individuals to get vaccinated against diseases that can be prevented by vaccination. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of parents who use primary healthcare services. Methods Conducted between August and September 2019, this study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design. The sample size of the study was calculated to be 378, considering a 95% confidence interval and 80% power. The survey form, the data collection tool of the study, included questions concerning sociodemographic characteristics of individuals and their knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding vaccination. The data were analysed on SPSS 22.0. Chi-square test was used in statistical analyses, and the significance level was set as p < 0.05. Results In the study group, 15.5% of the parents stated that they were hesitant about vaccines in childhood, 81.3% stated that their source of information on vaccines was healthcare staff and 28% stated that it was the internet. The hesitancy level was significantly high among those who believed that vaccines led to autism and infertility and those who did not trust pharmaceutical companies (p < 0.05). The hesitancy level regarding vaccines was significantly lower among those whose source of information was healthcare staff, whereas it was significantly higher among those whose source of information was the internet (p < 0.05). Conclusions Parents' beliefs that vaccines led to autism and infertility increased their hesitancy levels. The inaccurate information on the internet and social media increased their hesitancy levels. Hesitancy levels were lower among the parents who received information from healthcare staff. Key messages Healthcare staff should organise public trainings on vaccines to reduce the hesitancy levels of parents. Anti-vaccination statements on the internet and social media influence individuals’ vaccination behaviours.