Predictors of parents’ infant vaccination decisions: A concept derivation

Abstract

The myths surrounding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have prompted scientists to refocus their attention on vaccine hesitancy, which is fuelled by the spread of misinformation. The scientific investigation of behavioural concepts relating to vaccine hesitancy can be enhanced by the examination of behavioural concepts from the field of consumer sciences. South African consumer scientists study personal decisions that contribute to individuals’ well-being, including the decisions to prevent ill health. Current data on the predictors of vaccination decisions do not incorporate consumer science constructs imperative in decision-making, which could provide fresh insights in addressing vaccine hesitancy. This study aimed to investigate and illustrate the analogy between concepts of the Health Belief Model (HBM) as parent model, and consumer behaviour that could affect parents’ infant vaccination decisions, by applying a concept derivation approach. The HBM was analysed within the context of public health, including literature from consumers’ vaccination decisions, medical decisions, paediatrics, vaccinology, virology and nursing. Through a qualitative, theory derivation strategy, six main concepts of the HBM were redefined to consumer sciences, using four iterative concept derivation steps. Concept derivation resulted in consumer behaviour concepts that could be possible predictors of parents’ infant vaccination decisions, including consumers’ values; risk perception; consideration of immediate and future consequences; self-efficacy; cues to action; demographics; personal information and knowledge. These predictors could be a starting point for a context- and product-specific consumer primary preventive healthcare decisions model. Our findings highlight the opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in investigating consumer primary healthcare-related behaviour.Contribution: This study introduced interfaces between consumer science and health science literature. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, a better understanding of influences to promote primary preventive healthcare can be achieved.

Models of determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in non-pregnant and pregnant population: Review of current literature”

“… 16 The model assumes a perception that an adverse health condition can be avoided, that by following advice an adverse health condition can be averted, and that individuals are able to be convinced to adhere to a recommended behavior. 17 The HBM also assumes that existing beliefs can predict future behaviors. When applied to disease prevention, it suggests that a future behavior can be predicted by the combination of an individual’s willingness to prevent an illness and their expectations of a specific action.…”