Effect of health literacy on vaccine hesitancy of parents

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effect of parents' health literacy on vaccine hesitancy. Additionally, it examines levels of health literacy and vaccine hesitancy among parents in relation to demographic variables. The recent significant increase in vaccine hesitancy and opposition, combined with the limited number of studies focusing on parents, underscores the importance of this research. Materials and Methods: This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional and descriptive design. Health literacy and vaccine hesitancy scales were used as data collection instruments. The surveys were distributed via online platforms, and data were collected in February 2021. A total of 488 parents residing in T & uuml;rkiye participated in the study. As the data followed a normal distribution, parametric tests were used for analysis. Results: Among the participants, 69% were mothers, 30.3% had only one child, and 37.3% were between the ages of 31 and 40. Health literacy was found to be a significant negative predictor of vaccine hesitancy. Similarly, being a father was also a significant negative predictor. Although there was a positive association between educational level and vaccine hesitancy, this relationship was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Health literacy and paternal status significantly and negatively predicted vaccine hesitancy, while educational level did not show a significant effect. These variables collectively explained 4.5% of the variance in vaccine hesitancy. Although the effect size was modest, higher health literacy and being a father contributed to reduced vaccine hesitancy. In contrast, being a mother and having lower health literacy levels were associated with increased vaccine hesitancy.