. Narayana Goruntla; . Kokkala Akanksha; . Katta Lalithaasudhaa; . Vikash Pinnu; . Dasaratharamaiah Jinka; . Pradeepkumar Bhupalam; . Jyosna Doniparthi
Volume 13, Issue 1 , January 2023, , Pages 1-9
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) states that vaccine hesitancy is one ofthe top 10 threats to global public health. Evidence shows that vaccine hesitancy studies in Indiaare ...
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BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) states that vaccine hesitancy is one ofthe top 10 threats to global public health. Evidence shows that vaccine hesitancy studies in Indiaare limited and targeted toward individual vaccines. The study aimed to fill this gap by exploring therelationship between demographics and SAGE factors toward vaccine hesitancy.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital‑based, cross‑sectional, analytical study was conductedin a non‑governmental organization (NGO) hospital with 330 beds, located in Bathalapalli,Andhra Pradesh, India. Mothers of under‑five children who attended outpatient departments ofpediatrics or obstetrics and gynecology were included. A total of 574 mothers were enrolled andvaccine hesitancy was determined by reviewing the mother–child protection card for the presenceof delay or refusal of the recommended vaccine. A face‑to‑face interview was conducted to obtaindemographics and WHO–SAGE variables from the participants. Binary logistic regression analysiswas performed to associate independent variables (demographics and SAGE variables) with thedependent variable (vaccine hesitancy).RESULTS: Out of 574 respondents, 161 mother’s children were noted as vaccine‑hesitant (refusal = 7;delay = 154); and the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy was 28.05%. The delay was observed in allrecommended vaccines, but the refusal or reluctance was seen in only four vaccines (hepatitis Bbirth dose = 1; IPV 1 and 2 = 2; Measles 1 and 2 = 3; and Rota 1, 2, and 3 = 1). The respondents’demographics like no or lower parent education (OR = 3.17; 95%CI = 1.50–6.72) and fewer antenatalvisits (OR = 2.30; 95%CI = 1.45–3.36) showed higher odds, whereas the upper socioeconomicstatus showed lower odds (OR = 0.09; 95%CI = 0.02–0.36) toward vaccine hesitancy. The WHO–SAGE dimensions like awareness (OR = 0.14; 95%CI = 0.03–0.53), poor access (OR = 7.76;95%CI = 3.65–16.51), and low acceptability of the individual (OR = 07.15; 95%CI = 1.87–27.29),community (OR = 6.21; 95%CI = 1.58–24.33) were significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy.CONCLUSION: The study concludes that the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy was high. Vaccinesafety and children’s health are primary concerns for parents’ refusal/reluctance. To achieve 100%immunization coverage, policymakers need to reduce vaccine hesitancy by developing strategiesbased on demographic and WHO–SAGE working group predictors.
