Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Chronicles of Precision Medical Researchers, cilt.5, sa.1, ss.28-31, 2024 (Hakemli Dergi)
Aim: Vaccine hesitancy is a current and global problem. In order to increase social
acceptance of vaccination, it is recommended to determine the local situation and
propose solutions per cultural norms. Studies have shown that vaccine hesitancy
is a steerable situation and that the bond of trust between the health worker and
the parent increases vaccine acceptance. In our study, we aimed to examine the
attitudes and behaviors of participating parents regarding childhood vaccines.
Material and Method: The study population was home-parents with children
aged 0-24 months who agreed to participate by snowball sampling method.
Participants completed the “Parental Attitudes Towards Childhood Vaccinations”
scale (Bulun et al.) and sociodemographic data form online. An information form
was sent to all participants, and informed consent was obtained.
Results: A total of 138 participants were reached online. Of the parents reached,
87.76% (n:86) were mothers, and 66.33% (n:65) had one child. 95.88% (n:93) of
the participants reported being married. 53.61% (n:52) of the participants had
completed undergraduate education. 98 questionnaires with appropriate age
groups and complete answers were evaluated. The number of participants who
decided not to vaccinate was 16 (16.33%), while 10 (10%) participants stated that
they postponed vaccination. 73% (n: 72) of the participants thought vaccination
was more effective than natural immunization. 69.38% (n: 68) of the participants
reported trusting the information they received about vaccines. Again, 69.38%
(n:68) of the participants reported that they could openly discuss their concerns
about vaccines with healthcare professionals. 63% of the participants stated
they had no hesitation about childhood vaccines. All participants reported that
they would get vaccinated when they had other children. When asked about
the sources of information about childhood vaccines, 92.78% (n: 90) of the
participants stated that they obtained information from healthcare professionals.
In comparison, 53.61% (n: 52) of the participants reported using online sources.
Conclusion: Numerous studies have highlighted that vaccine ambivalence,
recognized as a major global issue, can be addressed effectively through
collaborative efforts with families via non-judgemental, empathic, supportive,
and tailor-made family interviews with solution-oriented approaches. Our study
group observed that the concerns raised align with the literature, although
epidemiological studies in our country remain limited. When attempting to
find scientific solutions by comprehending the family’s concerns, it is crucial to
reassess the situation during each interaction and persistently pursue solutions
with patience, especially regarding child health and societal impacts.
Keywords: Vaccination hesitancy, parents, vaccination, trust