Vaccination Coverage and Factors Influencing Vaccine Hesitancy Among Parents of Young Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Vaccination is a crucial public health intervention for preventing childhood diseases. However, vaccine hesitancy poses a significant threat to immunization programs worldwide. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate vaccination coverage and identify factors influencing vaccine hesitancy among parents of young children in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. A structured questionnaire was administered to 450 parents attending primary health care centers. The study found that 84.4% of children were fully vaccinated, 12.2% were partially vaccinated, and 3.3% were not vaccinated. Factors significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy included younger parental age (p=0.021 for <25 years), lower education level (p=0.001 for primary education), and reliance on social media for vaccine information (p<0.001). Healthcare providers were the primary source of vaccine information for 64.4% of parents, and those who relied on them were less likely to be vaccine-hesitant (p=0.001). While 83.3% of parents agreed that vaccines are essential for child health, 33.3% expressed concerns about serious side effects. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address vaccine hesitancy, particularly among younger and less educated parents. Enhancing healthcare providers' ability to communicate effectively about vaccines and developing strategies to combat misinformation on social media are crucial steps in improving vaccination coverage. Future research should explore the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing vaccine hesitancy and consider longitudinal designs to track changes in parental attitudes over time.