Parental intention to vaccinate children against seasonal influenza in the Eastern Mediterranean region: A cross-sectional study using the health belief model
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Read the article on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗Article · Jan 2023 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
Cross-sectional study of 5,964 parents across 14 Eastern Mediterranean countries found only 28% intended to vaccinate children against seasonal influenza. Parental beliefs about disease severity, susceptibility, and vaccination benefits significantly predicted vaccination intention, with perceived barriers being the strongest predictor of vaccine refusal.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Statements in this article
Seasonal influenza vaccine is the most effective strategy for reducing influenza incidence and severity.
Out of 5964 participants in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 28.2% intended to vaccinate their children against influenza.
Urban residents showed reduced unwillingness to vaccinate their children against influenza (OR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.35-0.85).
Decision-making regarding child's health by the father alone was associated with reduced unwillingness to vaccinate (OR = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.34-0.55).
Decision-making regarding child's health by the mother alone was associated with reduced unwillingness to vaccinate (OR = 0.78, 95%CI: 0.65-0.93).
Having a child with a chronic illness was inversely associated with parental unwillingness to vaccinate against influenza (OR = 0.45, 95%CI: 0.38-0.53).
High perceived severity, susceptibility, and benefits were inversely associated with parental unwillingness to vaccinate (OR = 0.35, 95%CI: 0.30-0.40).
Cues to action were inversely associated with parental unwillingness to vaccinate their children against influenza (OR = 0.45, 95%CI: 0.39-0.51).
Parents with a higher number of children in the household showed increased likelihood of unwillingness to vaccinate (OR = 1.08, 95%CI: 1.03-1.12).
Higher perceived barriers showed an increased likelihood of unwillingness to vaccinate children against influenza (OR = 2.92, 95%CI: 2.56-3.34).
Interventions targeting parental beliefs and perceptions are necessary to improve influenza vaccination acceptance and coverage among children.