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Rehman S, Rehman N, Li Z, Zhang Y. Potential determinants of parental hesitancy to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 infection: a cross-sectional investigation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22161. [PMID: 38092826 PMCID: PMC10719250 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47863-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination hesitancy has emerged as a substantial concern among the adult population globally. However, limited evidence is available about parental hesitancy to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 within the Pakistani context. Thus, the present investigation aimed to assess parental attitudes, perceptions, and willingness regarding vaccination hesitancy and associated predictors of getting their children vaccinated against COVID-19. We conducted a cross-sectional population-based, self-administered online questionnaire in Punjab, Pakistan, on randomly selected parents between October 2022 and February 2023. The data were collected based on socio-demographics, attitudes, perceptions, and willingness of parents regarding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for their children. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated to identify the predictors of vaccine hesitancy. The findings demonstrated that among 1,478 participants, a total of 40% believed that the COVID-19 vaccine may pose a greater risk to children than adults, while 38% exhibited no concerns. Around 13% of children were not vaccinated in our study sample. More than half expressed hesitancy toward vaccination, and only 35.25% were inclined to get their children vaccinated in our study sample. In addition, only 16% of the parents believed that the COVID-19 vaccination may cause an alteration in their children's DNA. A similar proportion of parents were aware of the significance of getting their children vaccinated and expressed their willingness to vaccinate their children to prevent the COVID-19 infection. However, a higher odds ratio was observed in females with a higher educational background and those in the healthcare profession. In conclusion, healthcare awareness-supporting programs for educating parents should be designed and implemented. These insights might aid in the development of strategies to eradicate barriers in existing coronavirus vaccination programs and may vaccinate a larger child population to reduce the adverse consequences of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shazia Rehman
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
- China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Institute of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Nadia Rehman
- Department of Mathematics, COMSATS University, Wah Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Zexuan Li
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
- China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Institute of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
- China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hunan Medical Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Institute of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
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Shati AA, Al-Qahtani SM, Alsabaani AA, Mahmood SE, Alqahtani YA, AlQahtani KM, Aldarami MS, AlAmri FD, Alqahtani AS, AlHadi AM, Ahmad A, Riaz FA. Perceptions of Parents towards COVID-19 Vaccination in Children, Aseer Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10081222. [PMID: 36016110 PMCID: PMC9414894 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10081222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are an important part of the COVID-19 pandemic response plan. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the attitude and perception levels of parents toward COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 0–18 years in the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Out of a total of 1463 parents, 30.6% assumed that COVID-19 vaccination may be more dangerous for children than adults. Nearly 36.5% parents don’t have any concern about children’s vaccination. About 12.8% of children have not received the vaccination, 55% of parents have some sort of hesitation and 32.2% of parents did not hesitate before vaccinating their children against COVID-19. Only 15.4% of parents expect that the COVID-19 vaccine affects their child’s genes. About 23.4% parents strongly agreed and 35.1% agreed about the importance of getting their children vaccinated. About 22.1% of parents strongly agreed and 33.3% agreed regarding their willingness to get their children vaccinated to prevent Coronavirus disease. More than 80% of parents recommended rushing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Health professionals and policymakers should implement and support strategies to ensure children are vaccinated for COVID-19. They also need to educate parents and families regarding childhood vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayed A. Shati
- Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia or (A.A.S.); (S.M.A.-Q.); (Y.A.A.)
| | - Saleh M. Al-Qahtani
- Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia or (A.A.S.); (S.M.A.-Q.); (Y.A.A.)
| | - Abdullah A. Alsabaani
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.A.); (F.A.R.)
| | - Syed E. Mahmood
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.A.); (F.A.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +966-5504-84344
| | - Youssef A. Alqahtani
- Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia or (A.A.S.); (S.M.A.-Q.); (Y.A.A.)
| | - Khalid M. AlQahtani
- Medical Intern, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia; (K.M.A.); (M.S.A.)
| | - Mohammed S. Aldarami
- Medical Intern, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia; (K.M.A.); (M.S.A.)
| | - Fahad D. AlAmri
- Medical Student, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia; (F.D.A.); (A.S.A.); (A.M.A.)
| | - Abdulrahman Saad Alqahtani
- Medical Student, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia; (F.D.A.); (A.S.A.); (A.M.A.)
| | - Abdulrahman M. AlHadi
- Medical Student, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia; (F.D.A.); (A.S.A.); (A.M.A.)
| | - Ausaf Ahmad
- Department of Community Medicine, Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India;
| | - Fatima A. Riaz
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.A.); (F.A.R.)
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