Analysis on vaccine hesitation and its associated factors among parents of preschool children in Songgang Street, Shenzhen

Abstract

China has the largest number of vaccinated population around the world. However, there has been few research on the prevalence and associated factors of vaccine hesitation among parents of preschool children. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the status of vaccine hesitation and its associated factors among children’s parents. A cluster random sampling method was adopted to select six community health service centers in Shenzhen, and parents of preschool children who were immunized in the vaccination outpatient department of the selected community health centers were surveyed using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Vaccine hesitation was assessed by the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) scale. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the associated factors for vaccine hesitance among children's parents. A total of 1025 parents (response rate, 93.18%) filled out the questionnaires. The average score of vaccine hesitancy was 43.37 (SD = 10.34) points. 23.61% of parents wanted children to get all the recommended shots, 53.76% of them did not believe that many of the illnesses shots prevent were severe, and 75.41% of them could not guarantee the information they receive about shots. The results of multiple linear regression showed that the number of children in the family (β = −0.93, 95% CI: −1.31 to 0.54), health status of the child (β = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.87), education level of the parents (Father: β = −0.84, 95%CI: −1.37 to 0.31; Mother: = −1.59, 95%CI:−2.13 to −1.05), and annual family income (β = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.13–2.16) were significantly associated with vaccine hesitation. The average score of parents' vaccine hesitation in Shenzhen was 43.37. The results showed that the number of children in the family, health status of the children, education level of the parents and annual family income were important factors associated with the parents' vaccine hesitation.

Analysis of Differences in User Groups and Post Sentiment of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitators in Chinese Social-Media Platforms

“…Reiter et al found that individuals with lower socioeconomic status or no health insurance were more likely to be vaccine-hesitant [48] and that aggressive vaccine payment policies may promote COVID-19 vaccination [49]. Low income is a barrier to vaccination, but it has also been shown that households with higher income levels are more able to cope with the adverse effects of disease and, thus, have higher levels of vaccine hesitancy [50]. We found differences in the findings of national scholars regarding the demographics of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, which shows that the causes of vaccine hesitancy are indeed complex.…”

Exploring trends and determinants of basic childhood vaccination coverage: Empirical evidence over 41 years

“…Previous scientific research has summarized determinants associated with the uptake of routine vaccines which threaten global health, both on the supply and demand side [13][14][15][16][17]. Some of these factors may include immunization programs, services, stock-outs, logistics and health infrastructures, as well as the perception of adverse effects, knowledge, beliefs, hesitancies, social influences and other general parental and family attitudes towards children [18,19]. Furthermore, studies analyzing low-and middle-income countries have identified low income, lack of access to health care, low parental education and unassisted childbirth as risk factors for low vaccination rates [20][21][22].…”