Open Access
Parents’ Sociodemographic Characteristics and Childhood Vaccine Hesitancy in The United Kingdom
4
PhD, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health, Wellness and Life Sciences, Leeds Trinity University, SSS Partnership, Birmingham Campus, United Kingdom; and PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Abstract
Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a growing public health concern, undermining efforts to achieve optimal immunisation coverage. This study explores the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and vaccine hesitancy among parents of children aged 0 to 6 years in the United Kingdom.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 818 parents and guardians recruited using convenience and snowball sampling. Data were collected via an online questionnaire hosted on Qualtrics, assessing sociodemographic factors and attitudes toward childhood vaccinations using the validated Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) scale. Scores ranged from 0 to 100, with scores above 50 indicating vaccine hesitancy. Descriptive and inferential analyses, including regression and ANOVA, were performed using SPSS to identify key determinants of hesitancy.
Results: Parents' sociodemographic characteristics, including age, ethnicity, and political ideology, significantly influenced vaccine hesitancy. Older parents and those identifying as "White Other" exhibited the highest levels of hesitancy. Distrust in healthcare systems and concerns over vaccine safety were major contributing factors. Participants relying on social media for vaccine information demonstrated higher hesitancy rates, emphasizing the role of misinformation. No significant differences in hesitancy were observed by income or education level.
Conclusion: Addressing vaccine hesitancy requires targeted public health strategies, including culturally sensitive communication, improved healthcare accessibility, and combating misinformation. This study underscores the importance of tailoring interventions to specific sociodemographic groups to enhance vaccine uptake and protect public health.
Keywords
Vaccines,
Hesitancy,
Parents,
Health,
Sociodemographics
References
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