Malaysian Parents Research Articles

Teletherapy Services for Children with Hearing Devices: The Malaysian Parents Experience

Teletherapy Services for Children with Hearing Devices: The Malaysian Parents Experience

From Wallets to Well-Being: Unveiling the Impact of Escalating Living Costs on Mental Health among Parents in Malaysia

From Wallets to Well-Being: Unveiling the Impact of Escalating Living Costs on Mental Health among Parents in Malaysia

The alternative pathway: Factors influencing middle-income parents to choose homeschooling

Given that Malaysia is still a developing country with a predominantly middle-income population, understanding the dynamics of homeschooling within this economic context was critical. The objective of this study was therefore to explore the factors influencing middle-income Malaysian parents’ decisions to homeschool their children. This study which was a qualitative case-study, was conducted through in-depth interviews with three middle-income parents’ whose children were currently homeschooling in Malaysia. The self-designed instrument achieved a Kappa score of .74, ensuring reliability of instrument for data collection. Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis approach integrated by Miles et al.’s (2013) three-cycle analytical coding was utilized in analyzing the data. The results from the in-depth interviews revealed four major themes which discussed factors influencing middle-income Malaysian parents’ decisions to homeschool their children. Flexibility and individualized learning, discontent with traditional schooling, children’s ability and disparity in classroom instructions and cultural independence have led many middle-income parents to explore home-schooling as an alternative educational option. The findings in this study uncovered that many parents perceived the home environment as a perfect setting for education. This study has practical implications as it highlighted the importance of creating a more inclusive and effective educational environment within the traditional school environment, hence decreasing the need for parents to choose homeschooling as an educational option.

Understanding Online Gaming Habits and Attitudes among Youth: A FGD Study of Gaming Behaviours, Social Interactions, and Psychological Effects

Asia has one of the highest incidences of online gaming, making it a favourite pastime among youth worldwide. However, research shows that excessive gaming can have detrimental effects on one's health, academic performance, and social development, and the economic relevance of the online gaming industry emphasizes the need to understand the attitudes and behaviours of youth towards online gaming. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the attitudes and habits of youth towards online gaming to develop strategies that promote healthy gaming behaviour. The study used a focus group discussion with three groups of youth, totalling 16 participants. The study found that the participants engaged in prolonged online gaming sessions, and individuals had different motivations for playing games, including relaxation, stress relief, escapism, and achievement. The findings demonstrated the varied ways in which gaming can impact socialization and psychological, both positively and negatively. While gaming can provide relaxation and social connection, it can also lead to negative impacts, such as distraction and addiction. Additionally, the data from the participants in this study reveal a range of potential psychological issues associated with online gaming, including anger management, the conflict between parents and children, addiction, risky behaviours, and compulsive behaviour. The findings of this study can help Malaysian politicians, educators, and parents create measures to encourage healthy gaming behaviours and lessen the harmful effects of excessive gaming. Keywords: Online gaming, gaming behaviours, social interactions, psychological effects, online gaming habits.

The linguistic and construct validity of the Malay version of the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES-My): Evidence from a sample of Malaysian parents of children with leukemia or lymphoma.

Parents of children with hematological cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma need to cope with stress related to their child's diagnosis. The Coping Self-Efficacy Scale is a widely used and validated tool to measure an individual's confidence in dealing with stressful situations. Appropriate translation and validation are needed to produce a localized language version suitable for Malaysian contexts. The study aimed to examine the linguistic and construct validity of the Malay version of the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES-My) among parents of children with hematological cancer. The CSES-My was created through a sequential series of steps, starting with the translation of the original English version, followed by cultural adaptation, and then cognitive interviewing. The 26-item CSES-My was self-administered in a sample of parents of children with leukemia and lymphoma from October 2021 until February 2022. They were recruited via online or face-to-face methods. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to examine the construct validity of the CSES-My. A total of 165 complete responses were analyzed. The scale has two factors, including Personal Coping and Social Coping, accounting for 58.3% of the variance. Personal Coping (19 items, Cronbach's alpha = 0.958) represented the respondents' self-efficacy for independently executing coping strategies, whether through solving problems or changing the way they think about the situation. Social Coping (6 items, Cronbach's alpha = 0.867) represented their confidence in executing coping strategies, which involved using social resources such as seeking external support, distraction, and avoiding loneliness. The CSES-My had reliable and valid psychometric properties, providing evidence for its utility in evaluating coping self-efficacy among parents of children with leukemia or lymphoma in Malaysia. The CSES-My is a valuable tool for nurses and other healthcare professionals investigating coping self-efficacy in Malay-speaking populations, and it may also aid in the development of future coping interventions.

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Malay version of parenting and child tooth brushing assessment (M-PACTA)

BackgroundMalaysian preschool children continue to exhibit a high prevalence of dental caries and poor oral hygiene. There is a need to gain an in-depth understanding of oral hygiene habits and design suitable interventions to improve oral hygiene in early childhood.ObjectiveTo cross-culturally adapt and determine the psychometric properties of the Malay-translated Parenting and Child Tooth Brushing Assessment questionnaire (M-PACTA).MethodologyThis cross-sectional study involved face and content validation, and forward and back-translation of PACTA. The M-PACTA was then tested for reliability and construct validity on 150 Malaysian parents of children aged 5 to 6 years old.ResultsFace validity indicated that the M-PACTA items were clear and easy to understand. For content validity, some words had to be modified in accordance with the recommendations of the expert committees to make it more coherent to Malaysians. Some statements in the parental knowledge scales were modified according to the guidelines applicable in Malaysia. The content comparison of the back translation with the adapted PACTA revealed that all items were semantic and linguistically equivalent. Exploratory factor analyses of M-PACTA suggested a two-factor structure for three scales including child behaviour scale (‘non-compliance’ and ‘avoidance behaviour’), parental attitudes (‘lack of concern’ and ‘attitude of care’), and parental knowledge (‘general tooth brushing knowledge’ and ‘awareness of tooth brushing care’) while for the parental strategy scale, three-factor structure was extracted including ‘routine positive methods’, ‘uncommon positive methods’, and ‘negative methods’. Internal consistencies for all scales were good (α > 0.9).ConclusionM-PACTA did not replicate the construct of the original PACTA. Nonetheless, M-PACTA demonstrated good construct validity, internal consistency reliability, and test-retest reliability within Malaysian context.

Examining Malaysian mothers' causal attributions of maladaptive externalizing and internalizing behaviors in young children

AbstractObjectiveThis study provides insight into how cultural beliefs influence parents' causal attributions of maladaptive externalizing and internalizing behaviors in young children.BackgroundUnderstanding how parents from different cultures explain difficult behavior in young children may inform culturally sensitive approaches for early intervention and prevention. To date, work on Malaysian parents' causal attributions of maladaptive behaviors in young children has received little empirical attention.MethodWe employed a semistructured interview method to assess Malaysian mothers' (N = 16) open‐ended explanations for maladaptive externalizing and internalizing behavior in their young children, as depicted in hypothetical scenarios. Mothers' responses were coded according to a coding system of parental attributions.ResultsWe identified cultural specificity in Malaysian parents' attributions of children's behaviors, with mothers endorsing reasons for children's maladaptive externalizing and internalizing behaviors that were not previously captured by the existing coding system. Mothers' attributions were informed by religious and spiritual beliefs.ConclusionsParents' causal attributions for children's maladaptive behaviors are culturally specific and are best captured by open‐ended approaches.ImplicationsCultural frames of reference shape parental beliefs, which are crucial to the effective formulation of early intervention and prevention approaches. Caution should be taken in general against universally operationalizing parents' attributions of children's behaviors.

Willingness and understanding of the safety and effectiveness of COVID‐19 vaccines in young children: a cross‐sectional study among parents in Malaysia

AbstractBackgroundThe safety and efficacy of COVID‐19 vaccinations are crucial factors that parents consider when deciding whether to vaccinate their children.AimThis study aimed to investigate parents' understanding of COVID‐19 vaccines and its association with the degree of willingness to vaccinate their young children.MethodA cross‐sectional survey was conducted among the public with children younger than 12 years old. Information on parents' demography, understanding of COVID‐19 vaccines and their willingness to get their children vaccinated were collected. The association between the level of understanding and willingness was tested using the One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Predictors of good understanding and high willingness were investigated using multiple linear regression. Ethics approval was granted by the Research Ethics Committee of Universiti Teknologi MARA (Reference no: REC [PH]/012/2022) and the study conforms with the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. A web‐based survey link was distributed through social media platforms. The initial section of the survey included a project information sheet including the purpose of the study, length of questionnaire, identity of researchers and measures taken to ensure data confidentiality and anonymity of participants. Participants provided their consent electronically prior to being granted access to the questionnaire.ResultsOf the 386 respondents, 53.4% had a good understanding, and 74.6% had a high willingness. Only 42.5% agreed that the vaccines are effective in protecting children from getting COVID‐19, 79.5% and 73.3% misunderstood the severity and tendency to experience the side effects, respectively. A better understanding was associated with a higher willingness to vaccinate ([F(4381) = 54.417, p = 0.000). A higher understanding was significantly associated with higher educational status (postgraduate [β = 0.297, p = 0.028] and bachelor [β = 0.275, p = 0.034], work in a health‐related field [β = 0.300, p < 0.001]) and have received a COVID‐19 booster (β = 0.347, p < 0.001). A high willingness was prevalent among parents working in a health‐related field, had received a COVID‐19 booster and had medical condition. Low willingness was observed among parents aged above 30 years old and those who have used herbal medicines.ConclusionIt is of utmost importance to comprehend parents’ understanding of this topic to minimise hesitancy toward COVID‐19 vaccination in children.

Knowledge, awareness, and perception on genetic testing for primary immunodeficiency disease among parents in Malaysia: a qualitative study.

Primary Immunodeficiency Disease (PID), also known as Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI), comprises a group of rare genetic disorders that impair the body's immune responses. These conditions result from monogenic germline mutations that affect the function of genes governing the innate and adaptive immune system. Therefore, individuals with PID are more susceptible to infectious diseases, allergies, and autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions. The prevalence of PID has been on the rise, with the number of classified diseases reaching 404, and 430 genetic defects reported to cause these conditions. However, in Malaysia, genetic testing for PID is currently limited and needs to be outsourced to overseas laboratories, posing financial challenges for families. Moreover, limited research has focused on the knowledge and awareness of genetic testing among parents of children with PID in Malaysia. This study aims to address this gap and provide valuable insights into the knowledge, awareness, and perception of genetic testing among this specific population. This qualitative cross-sectional study utilised online open-ended, semi-structured focus group interviews to explore the perceptions and experiences of parents of children with Primary Immunodeficiency (PID). Participants were recruited through convenience sampling from the Malaysian Patient Organisation for Primary Immunodeficiencies (MyPOPI), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to providing support and raising awareness about PID. The study spanned from May 2023 to July 2023 and included participants from diverse regions of Malaysia who had undergone different diagnostic journeys in various hospitals. The focus group discussions yielded 11 sub-themes that highlighted the experiences, understanding and challenges of the participants regarding genetic testing based on the semi-structured questions. These sub-themes were then grouped into four main themes that are awareness and understanding of genetic testing, the journey towards diagnosis and treatment, emotional impact and psychological factors, and the importance of medical experts in diagnosing and managing PID, as well as public perception and awareness. In conclusion, this study highlights the diverse knowledge, awareness, and perception surrounding genetic testing for PID. Factors such as access to services, family history, and personal circumstances shape individuals' understanding of genetic testing. The importance of healthcare professionals, along with the need for improved accessibility and targeted communication strategies, is underscored to enhance understanding and reduce stigma surrounding genetic testing for rare diseases like PID.

Media literacy and parent’s acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination for children

Vaccination is a prevention cure to stop COVID-19 spreading. In early 2022, the Malaysian government encouraged parents from preschool and primary schools to vaccinate their children to protect them from infectious viruses. The Malaysian government encourages parents of pre- and primary-school children to vaccinate their children vaccinated against COVID-19 virus. Although vaccination benefits children, some parents are hesitant about immunizing their children due to the opposite and different types of information they received about the immunization effect. This study attempts to identify the readiness and acceptance of vaccination to children among parents from Selangor state based on the availability of information tools used by parents in accepting or rejecting vaccination. This study employed a survey method. A sample of 200 parents who have children between the ages of one to 12 years old were selected to participate in this study. Convenient sample selection was carried out to reach the targeted and qualified respondents through email, social media and WhatsApp platforms. Data were analyzed using SPSS. The results indicated that most of the selected parents ready to vaccinate their children and in examining the trustworthiness of the information platform covering COVID-19 vaccination content, mostly trusted the content provided by the Ministry of Health (MoH). The findings also demonstrated a significant positive relationship between parent’s information-seeking behavior and readiness to vaccinate their kids.

Navigating Digital Risks and Benefits: Malaysian Parents' Perceptions of Their Children's Digital Media UsageNavigating Digital Risks and Benefits: Malaysian Parents' Perceptions of Their Children's Digital Media Usage

In this article, we explore how Malaysian parents view their children's use of digital media. We studied 645 parents from various backgrounds to understand how they navigate the world of digital devices and content. Our research dives into the fine line parents walk between what they see as the risks and the benefits in this digital landscape. What we discovered is that these parents have a pretty nuanced view. They see the positives—like how digital media can boost education, improve communication, and expose their kids to diverse cultures. But at the same time, they worry. They're concerned about things like too much screen time, exposure to inappropriate stuff, and how it might affect their kids' physical activity.Our study found that different things influence how parents see these issues. Factors like how much education parents have, how much they earn, and the ages of their kids play a role in shaping their views. With Malaysia becoming more and more digital, our research aims to help policymakers, teachers, and parents themselves. By getting a handle on what worries and excites parents about digital media, we hope to find ways to make it work better for everyone. Our goal is to figure out how to make the most of the good stuff digital media offers while finding ways to deal with the concerns. Ultimately, we want to create a digital world that's healthier and more balanced for Malaysian kids.

Exploring current and future adoption of green and sustainable criteria by Malaysian parents in toy selection

Toys play a crucial role in a child's cognitive development. Existing literature suggests that parents' toy purchasing decisions are significantly influenced by their demographic profiles. The safety aspect of toys has been consistently highlighted in research. However, the exploration of parents' deliberate consideration of green and sustainable toys remains limited, particularly within the context of Malaysia. While there exists an array of online resources expressing Malaysian parents' opinions about eco-friendly toys, there is a notable scarcity of scientific studies addressing this matter. This study endeavors to address this gap by examining the landscape. The current research delves into both the present and future perspectives of Malaysian parents adopting green and sustainable criteria when selecting toys for their children. The study's findings underscore the diversity of viewpoints across parents' demographic backgrounds, highlighting that the extent of consideration varies accordingly.

Parents' willingness to pay for COVID-19 vaccination for children in Malaysia using the contingent valuation method.

Children are susceptible and a potential source of transmission for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However compulsory COVID-19 vaccination programs among children have not been a focus in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to measure parents' willingness to pay (WTP) for the COVID-19 vaccine and analyze the effects of socioeconomic variables on parents' WTP. An online cross-sectional study was conducted in Malaysia with two waves of surveys (i.e., different samples for each wave), March and June 2021. The study participants were Malaysian parents above 18 years old. Parents were randomized between two vaccine effectiveness profiles (95% and 50% effectiveness) and two risk levels of an adverse event (5% and 20% risk of fever). The WTP was estimated using a double-bounded dichotomous choice. Socioeconomic variables such as age of parent, gender, insurance, income, and education were examined. A total of 292 parents in March 2021 and 271 in June 2021 were included in the study. The vaccine safety and effectiveness profile did not significantly impact the WTP. In March 2021, the estimated WTP ranged from RM344.74 to RM399.64 (US$82.5 to US$95.6) across vaccine profiles and between RM377.55 and RM444.33 (US$90.3 to US$106.3) in June. Insurance status was associated with the parents' WTP, and during the June wave, the age of parents influenced the WTP. Implementing subsidies or free vaccinations is considerable to increase herd immunity and prevent transmission of COVID-19 in Malaysia.

Development and user evaluation of an online caregiver education resource for Malaysian parents of children with leukemia or lymphoma

ObjectiveMalaysian parents of children diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma stand to benefit from a comprehensive Malay-language online resource, complementing existing caregiver education practices. This study aimed to develop and assess the efficacy of e-Hematological Oncology Parents Education (e-HOPE), an online caregiver education resource in Malay, designed to enhance the knowledge of parents with children diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma in Malaysia. MethodsA user profile and topic list were established based on previous needs analysis studies. Content was developed for each identified topic. An expert panel assessed the content validity of both informational content and activity sections. Subsequently, the contents were presented via a learning management system to parents of children newly diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma. Parents evaluated the quality of e-HOPE using the Website Evaluation Questionnaire (WEQ) after an 8-week period. ResultsThe scale content validity index (S-CVI/Ave) achieved 0.996 for informational content and 0.991 for the activity section. Sixteen parents provided evaluations of e-HOPE after an 8-week usage period. Mean WEQ scores for various dimensions ranged from 4.23 for completeness to 4.88 for relevance. ConclusionsE-HOPE was meticulously designed and developed to offer Malaysian parents a Malay-language resource complementing current caregiver education practices. It exhibited strong content validity and received positive user ratings for quality. Further assessment is warranted to evaluate its effectiveness in supporting parents of children with leukemia or lymphoma. The resource is anticipated to enhance information accessibility and support for Malaysian parents facing hematological cancers in their children. Trial registrationClinicaltrials.govNCT05455268.

Understanding Challenges of Genetic Testing on Neuromuscular Disorders from the Parental Lens.

Neuromuscular disorders, characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness, present substantial challenges to both affected individuals and their families. Genetic testing assumes a pivotal role in facilitating early diagnosis, intervention, treatment, and informed family planning for these conditions. The objective of this qualitative study is to delve into the knowledge, awareness, and perceptions surrounding genetic testing within the cohort of parents caring for individuals with neuromuscular disorders in Malaysia. A semi-structured interview approach was employed to elicit data from parents of individuals diagnosed with neuromuscular disorders, encompassing those with clinical diagnoses and those diagnosed through genetic testing. Examination of the interview responses yielded nine overarching themes, which furnish invaluable insights into the perspectives of Malaysian parents concerning genetic testing. The study discerned several challenges associated with genetic testing, notably encompassing the limited awareness among parents, the financial constraints associated with genetic testing, and the perceived significance of genetic testing in the context of neuromuscular disorders. The findings suggest that the level of knowledge and awareness pertaining to genetic testing for neuromuscular disorders among parents in Malaysia varies, with initial levels of awareness ranging from relatively low to reasonably sufficient prior to and following the birth of an affected child. However, the investigation revealed that parents tended to cultivate more favorable perceptions regarding genetic testing subsequent to their experience with genetic counseling. This underscores the potential for heightened awareness and comprehension as a consequence of the personal experience of parenting an affected child confirmed through genetic testing and genetic counseling, ultimately influencing parental awareness.

Parents’ Attitudes towards Inclusion of Sexuality Education in Malaysian Schools

The present study examined the attitudes of Malaysian rural parents regarding sexual health education in elementary schools. Using a comprehensive list of sex education topics, parents were asked to examine which topics they believed should be taught at schools. In addition, the study also assessed the relationship between parents’ demographic characteristics such as age, gender, education, and occupation and their approval of sexual health education. The respondents of the study included parents (n=211) of children registered in four selected schools in Kedah, Malaysia. The majority of them (73%) supported the inclusion of various sexual health topics in school curriculum provided the contents were in line with religious teachings. The study has generated important empirical findings regarding local community’s response to school-based sexuality education. This information is needed in facilitating the development of sexual health policy at various institutional levels, and in the effective implementation of sexual health curriculum in Malaysian schools.

DETERMINANTS OF MATERIAL WELLBEING AMONG PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Previous study stated that both children and parents able commence deliberate behaviour and naturally adopt ways to affect the other's behaviour. They could assess their own behaviours and comprehend the information sent throughout the interaction. Parents of disabled children who suffer inadequate well-being unknowingly display negative parenting skills, making it difficult to help children with disabilities reach their full potential. When it comes to parenting, parents are always preoccupied. However, raising children with disabilities is a huge endeavour that has physical, psychological, and mental concerns for parents. To manage with their children's impairments, which are characterized by a wide spectrum of symptoms, parents frequently sacrifice their time, energy, and financial resources. In comparison to other disabilities, parents of children with autism spectrum disorder consistently reported greater levels of parental stress. The present models, however, are limited as indicators for assessing the well-being among parents of children with impairments. As a result, the goal of this research is to determine the level of material well-being and investigate the elements that influence it. In total, 230 Malaysian parents of children with disabilities took part in the study. To assess the research constructs and the structural model, smart partial least square (PLS) was used. The findings revealed that all the study hypotheses were supported, and the effect of the components inside the respondents' environment was confirmed. The results of this study showed that parents' financial attitudes, awareness of disabilities, and government support had a positive and significant impact on their children's material well-being. The study's anticipated outcome will help the government in developing plans to improve advanced and contemporary services for parents of children with disabilities.

Understanding Media Influence on Parental Perspectives Towards Child Obesity Prevention

The advocacy for children’s health and wellness through multiple media platforms is pertinent in raising awareness among parents as the World Health Organization (WHO) identified child obesity as one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Malaysia is currently ranked with the highest obesity population in Southeast Asia, a clear indication that intervention campaigns implemented to improve the obesity conundrum in the past have met with little success. Although studies have shown that parents exercise considerable influence on nutrition and eating habits of children, their information-seeking habits in their position as decision makers of the household remains a significant oversight. Therefore, effective health communication strategies in the media targeted towards this segment highlight the importance of child obesity prevention information, particularly among low-income groups in urban communities. This study examined media and communication strategies on child obesity by exploring how parents negotiate information to ensure children abide by healthier practices. In doing so, a diary study was conducted to observe behaviours of the target group in dealing with information on child obesity on a daily basis. The result of the study is congruent with the assumption that parents have great potential to organically formulate child obesity prevention plans with their extent of exposure towards media messages. Henceforth, the role of media is seen as a highpoint in creating awareness on health communication strategies that can further engage and assist Malaysian parents for a more sustainable future for their children. Keywords: Child obesity, health communication, media strategies, new media, social marketing.

EMOTIONAL STATES AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) DURING COVID-19 IN MALAYSIA

The global pandemic in Malaysia in 2020 has had a worldwide impact and affected the entire world’s population. Caring for special needs, children became more difficult than usual during this period. Caring for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) particularly could severely influence the parents’ emotional well-being and quality of life. This study aimed to identify the emotional states and quality of life among parents of children with ASD during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study obtained quantitative data from the (n = 100) parents of children with ASD from different states in Malaysia using an online survey. The data collected from this study included; demographic characteristics of the parents and children, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), and also the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment-Bref: WHOQOL-BREF (Malay version). The results found significant differences between demographic characteristics, emotional status, and QoL among parents with autistic children during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. A statistically significant association existed between the parents’ depression symptoms and their mental health status (p = 0.03*). There is also a correlation between the emotional states with the quality of life among the parents of children with ASD, but most of the domains were very weak correlations. Overall, the study found that the COVID-19 pandemic had slightly impacted the emotional states and quality of life among parents in Malaysia.

COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN: DISCREPANCY IN KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN PARENTS IN SELANGOR

Recent studies have reported findings on Malaysian public knowledge on COVID-19 infection and vaccination. However, there is still lack of report that explore this issue among the urban and rural parents in Malaysia. This study aims to compare the knowledge and attitudes on COVID-19 vaccination for children between parents living in the urban and rural areas of Selangor. Self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among parents living in urban and rural regions of Selangor. The three-part questionnaire assessed the demographic characteristics, knowledge, positive attitude, and negative attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination for children. Out of 302 respondents, there were 152 (50.3%) rural parents and 150 (49.7%) urban parents. The level of knowledge and positive attitude of urban parents were found to be significantly higher than the rural parents towards COVID-19 vaccination for children. Also, Spearman correlation indicated a moderate positive association between knowledge and positive attitude while there is a weak negative association between knowledge and negative attitude of the parents towards COVID-19 vaccination for children. This study highlighted the knowledge and attitude gaps between rural and urban parents towards COVID-19 immunization for children. Collaborative efforts from the government and private sectors are essential to promote effective health messaging and increase vaccine coverage in achieving herd immunity against COVID-19.