Prevalence and Predictors of Vaccine Hesitancy Among Mothers of Under-five Children: A Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) states that vaccine hesitancy is one of the top 10 threats to global public health. Evidence shows that vaccine hesitancy studies in India are limited and targeted toward individual vaccines. The study aimed to fill this gap by exploring the relationship between demographics and SAGE factors toward vaccine hesitancy.

Materials And Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted in a non-governmental organization (NGO) hospital with 330 beds, located in Bathalapalli, Andhra Pradesh, India. Mothers of under-five children who attended outpatient departments of pediatrics or obstetrics and gynecology were included. A total of 574 mothers were enrolled and vaccine hesitancy was determined by reviewing the mother-child protection card for the presence of delay or refusal of the recommended vaccine. A face-to-face interview was conducted to obtain demographics and WHO-SAGE variables from the participants. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to associate independent variables (demographics and SAGE variables) with the dependent 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 all recommended vaccines, but the refusal or reluctance was seen in only four vaccines (hepatitis B birth 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 antenatal visits (OR = 2.30; 95%CI = 1.45-3.36) showed higher odds, whereas the upper socioeconomic status 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. Vaccine safety and children's health are primary concerns for parents' refusal/reluctance. To achieve 100% immunization coverage, policymakers need to reduce vaccine hesitancy by developing strategies based on demographic and WHO-SAGE working group predictors.