Gharagozlou Saber, Azizi Fatemeh, Hajiesmaeil Memar Elmira, Memarian Sara, Soti Khiabani Mahsa, Mohammadi Roya, Ashournia Parisa, Zamani Raha, Zamani Zahra, Gharagozlou Mohammad
Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
School of Medicine, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
BMC Public Health. 2024 Dec 18;24(1):3455. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20916-9.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the significance of immunizations, particularly among susceptible populations such as children. This study examines the factors that influence parents' decision to accept or hesitate in vaccinating their children in an urban environment.
A one-year cross-sectional study was carried out at a paediatric hospital in Tehran, Iran. The objective is to target a demographic of 226 children, aged 5 to 18, residing in metropolitan locations, over the period of June to August 2023. An extensive survey, built upon previous research, analyzed the variables that influence the reluctance and acceptance of vaccines. Data on demographics, vaccination status, and variables influencing hesitation or acceptance were collected.
Out of the 226 participants, 22.1% of the children had received vaccinations. There was a correlation between parents getting vaccinated and greater rates of child vaccination (100% vs. 92.9%, p = 0.073). Significant relationships were seen between age, parental education, and past COVID-19 hospitalizations. The main motivations for vaccination were to guarantee safety (66%) and to avert serious illness (60%). The primary reasons for hesitancy were primarily attributed to worries regarding potential harmful effects (58%), lack of trust in the vaccine (19.9%), and uncertainties regarding its efficacy (15.9%).
The research emphasizes key factors that have a significant impact on the COVID-19 vaccination of children, such as age, previous hospitalization experiences, and parental attitudes. To boost vaccination rates in this demographic, it would be beneficial to address parental concerns regarding vaccine safety and enhance educational outreach regarding the advantages of vaccines. Public health programs should prioritize clear and open information and precise treatments to decrease vaccine reluctance.
新冠疫情凸显了免疫接种的重要性，尤其是在儿童等易感人群中。本研究探讨了在城市环境中影响父母决定是否为孩子接种疫苗的因素。
在伊朗德黑兰的一家儿科医院进行了为期一年的横断面研究。目标是针对2023年6月至8月期间居住在大城市地区的226名5至18岁儿童。在先前研究的基础上进行了一项广泛的调查，分析了影响疫苗犹豫和接受度的变量。收集了人口统计学、疫苗接种状况以及影响犹豫或接受度的变量的数据。
在226名参与者中，22.1%的儿童接种了疫苗。父母接种疫苗与儿童更高的接种率之间存在相关性（100%对92.9%，p = 0.073）。年龄、父母教育程度和过去的新冠住院史之间存在显著关系。接种疫苗的主要动机是确保安全（66%）和避免重病（60%）。犹豫的主要原因主要归因于对潜在有害影响的担忧（58%）、对疫苗缺乏信任（19.9%）以及对其有效性的不确定性（15.9%）。
该研究强调了对儿童新冠疫苗接种有重大影响的关键因素，如年龄、既往住院经历和父母态度。为提高这一人群的疫苗接种率，解决父母对疫苗安全的担忧并加强关于疫苗益处的教育宣传将是有益的。公共卫生项目应优先提供清晰、公开的信息和精确的说明，以减少疫苗犹豫。
