Evaluation of Childhood Vaccine Refusal and Hesitancy Intentions in Turkey

• Published in: Indian journal of pediatrics Vol. 86; no. 1; pp. 38 - 43
• Main Authors: Topçu, Seda, Almış, Habip, Başkan, Sevgi, Turgut, Mehmet, Orhon, Filiz Şimşek, Ulukol, Betül
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi Springer India 01-01-2019
• Subjects: Gynecology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Pediatrics; Vaccine refusal; Turkey; Vaccine hesitancy; Alternative medicine
• ISSN: 0019-5456; 0973-7693
• DOI: 10.1007/s12098-018-2714-0

Objective
To assess the factors affecting parental childhood vaccine refusal and hesitancy (CVRH) intentions in Turkey.
Methods
A total of 33 children’s parents who were referred to two different child health care clinics because of CVRH and 99 controls were enrolled into this study from November through December 2017. The socio-demographic characteristics and perceptions of the parents who refused at least one vaccine for their child/children were compared with controls.
Results
The monthly household income was significantly lower in CVRH group than control group. Refusal of the heel stick, refusal of hearing test, not using baby car seat, irregular use of vitamin D and iron prophylaxis, using alterative/complementary medicine, distrust in vaccines were the parameters which were found significantly higher in refused vaccine group than in control group. The beliefs “It may be dangerous for children” and “Distrust to the vaccines” were the most determined factors with a ratio of 51.5% in CVRH group.
Conclusions
This is the first study conducted to investigate the social-demographic characteristics and perception of parental CVRH in Turkey. The beliefs “It may be dangerous for the children” and “Distrust the vaccines” were the most determined factors which may affect CVRH. Some child health protective strategies were less undertaken in CVRH group than in controls; including heel stick test, hearing test, using baby car seat and using of Vitamin D and iron prophylaxis. The parents who have CVRH intentions tend to behave irresponsibly in care of their children.