The Knowledge and Behaviours of the Healthcare Staff Regarding Vaccine Rejection

Abstract

Abstract Background Vaccination is a cost-effective method to protect individuals from diseases and complications that might emerge due to diseases. The healthcare staff in primary healthcare services, as the primary body concerned with vaccines, are notably more likely to encounter families who reject vaccines in childhood. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of the healthcare staff in primary healthcare services regarding vaccine rejection in childhood. Methods Conducted between July and August 2019, this study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design. The population of the study comprised 392 healthcare staff working in primary healthcare services in Malatya City Centre. The sample size was calculated as 193, considering a 95% confidence interval and 80% power. The survey form used in the study included questions concerning sociodemographic characteristics of individuals, their views on vaccination and the views of parents regarding vaccine rejection according to the perspectives of the healthcare staff. Chi-square test was used in statistical analyses, and the significance level was set as p < 0.05. Results In the study group, 25.4% of the healthcare staff stated that they were hesitant about vaccines in childhood. Also, 18.2% of the individuals indicated that they were hesitant about vaccines due to the chemicals in vaccines, 14.4% were hesitant due to the pharmaceutical industry and the relationships based on self-interest and 10.5% were hesitant due to the side effects. The hesitancy level was significantly higher among those whose source of information regarding vaccines in childhood was the internet (37.0%) compared with those whose source was not the internet (21.6%) (p = 0.004). Conclusions One-fourth of the healthcare staff, who are supposed to be the most informed group about vaccines, were hesitant about them. Moreover, the inaccurate information acquired from the internet and social media could be increasing the hesitancy level. Key messages Vaccination hesitancy is high among the healthcare staff in primary healthcare services. The source of information regarding vaccination influences the hesitancy levels of individuals.