UNDERSTANDING PARENTAL PERCEPTIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON IMMUNIZATION RATES IN PRIMARY CARE

Mariam Yousif Daniel*, Abeer Mahmood Yousif and Hadeel Yousif Khaleel

ABSTRACT

Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a significant public health concern, affecting immunization rates and increasing the risk of infectious disease outbreaks. Parental attitudes toward childhood vaccines are influenced by multiple factors, including sociocultural, economic, and psychological determinants. Traditional vaccine hesitancy measurement tools often fail to distinguish between general and specific vaccine opposition. This study introduces a novel methodological approach to assess parental vaccine hesitancy by incorporating a hypothetical vaccine as an indicator of underlying attitudes. Methods: A representative sample of parents with children aged 0–18 years was surveyed using a structured multi-stage sampling process. Data collection was conducted through computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI). The study applied a modified version of a previously established sociological methodology, integrating a fictitious vaccine among real ones to assess vaccine hesitancy. Participants were categorized into four groups based on their responses. The reliability of this novel approach was evaluated against traditional vaccine hesitancy indices using chi-square tests and Pearson residuals, with sociodemographic factors also analyzed. Results: The study identified a strong correlation (p < 0.001, Cramer’s V = 0.592) between traditional vaccine hesitancy measurements and responses to the hypothetical vaccine. Among respondents classified as vaccine-hesitant using conventional methods, 100% rejected the fictitious vaccine, while acceptance rates increased among those with more favorable vaccine attitudes. Educational attainment was a key predictor, with lower-educated parents significantly more likely to refuse vaccines. Geographic variations also played a role, with higher hesitancy observed in both highly urbanized and rural areas. No significant differences were found between male and female respondents. Conclusion: The introduction of a hypothetical vaccine as a tool for measuring parental vaccine hesitancy provides a reliable alternative to traditional methods. This approach effectively identifies vaccine-resistant populations and offers insights into the underlying factors influencing vaccine decisions. The findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, to enhance vaccine uptake and public health outcomes.

Keywords: .