Psychosocial correlates of parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19.
<h4>Background</h4>Public health guidance recommended that children who are 6 months or older be vaccinated against COVID-19 in June of 2022. In the U.S., 56% of children under 17 had not received the COVID-19 vaccination in 2023. We examine parents' willingness to vaccinate their c...
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2024-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305877 |
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| author | Hyunmin Yu Stephen Bonett Ufuoma Oyiborhoro Subhash Aryal Andrew Kim Melanie L Kornides John B Jemmott Karen Glanz Antonia M Villarruel José A Bauermeister |
| author_facet | Hyunmin Yu Stephen Bonett Ufuoma Oyiborhoro Subhash Aryal Andrew Kim Melanie L Kornides John B Jemmott Karen Glanz Antonia M Villarruel José A Bauermeister |
| author_sort | Hyunmin Yu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Background</h4>Public health guidance recommended that children who are 6 months or older be vaccinated against COVID-19 in June of 2022. In the U.S., 56% of children under 17 had not received the COVID-19 vaccination in 2023. We examine parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 using the theory of planned behavior in order to design effective strategies to promote vaccine uptake.<h4>Methods</h4>The Philadelphia Community Engagement Alliance is part of an NIH community-engaged consortium focused on addressing COVID-19 disparities across the U.S. We surveyed 1,008 Philadelphia parents (mean age 36.86, SD 6.55; 42.3% racial/ethnic minorities) between September 2021 and February 2022, a period when guidance for child vaccination was anticipated. Structural Equation Modeling analysis examined associations between parental willingness and vaccine-related attitudes, norms, and perceived control. Covariates included parents' COVID-19 vaccination status, race/ethnicity, gender, and survey completion post-CDC pediatric COVID-19 vaccination guidelines. Subgroup analyses by race/ethnicity and gender were conducted.<h4>Results</h4>Our model demonstrated good fit (χ2 = 907.37, df = 419, p<0.001; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.951; non-normed fit index [NNFI] = 0.946; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.034 with 95% CI = 0.030-0.038). Attitudes ([Formula: see text] = 0.447, p<0.001) and subjective norms ([Formula: see text] = 0.309, p = 0.002) were predictors of intention. Racial/ethnic minority parents exhibited weaker vaccination intentions ([Formula: see text] = -0.053, p = 0.028) than non-Hispanic White parents.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Parents' attitudes and norms influence their vaccination intentions. Despite the survey predating widespread child vaccine availability, findings are pertinent given the need to increase and sustain pediatric vaccinations against COVID-19. Interventions promoting positive vaccine attitudes and prosocial norms are warranted. Tailored interventions and diverse communication strategies for parental subgroups may be useful to ensure comprehensive and effective vaccination initiatives. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a478cb93890f4187916b253efc8d82f8 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj-art-a478cb93890f4187916b253efc8d82f82025-08-20T02:55:39ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032024-01-01196e030587710.1371/journal.pone.0305877Psychosocial correlates of parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19.Hyunmin YuStephen BonettUfuoma OyiborhoroSubhash AryalAndrew KimMelanie L KornidesJohn B JemmottKaren GlanzAntonia M VillarruelJosé A Bauermeister<h4>Background</h4>Public health guidance recommended that children who are 6 months or older be vaccinated against COVID-19 in June of 2022. In the U.S., 56% of children under 17 had not received the COVID-19 vaccination in 2023. We examine parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 using the theory of planned behavior in order to design effective strategies to promote vaccine uptake.<h4>Methods</h4>The Philadelphia Community Engagement Alliance is part of an NIH community-engaged consortium focused on addressing COVID-19 disparities across the U.S. We surveyed 1,008 Philadelphia parents (mean age 36.86, SD 6.55; 42.3% racial/ethnic minorities) between September 2021 and February 2022, a period when guidance for child vaccination was anticipated. Structural Equation Modeling analysis examined associations between parental willingness and vaccine-related attitudes, norms, and perceived control. Covariates included parents' COVID-19 vaccination status, race/ethnicity, gender, and survey completion post-CDC pediatric COVID-19 vaccination guidelines. Subgroup analyses by race/ethnicity and gender were conducted.<h4>Results</h4>Our model demonstrated good fit (χ2 = 907.37, df = 419, p<0.001; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.951; non-normed fit index [NNFI] = 0.946; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.034 with 95% CI = 0.030-0.038). Attitudes ([Formula: see text] = 0.447, p<0.001) and subjective norms ([Formula: see text] = 0.309, p = 0.002) were predictors of intention. Racial/ethnic minority parents exhibited weaker vaccination intentions ([Formula: see text] = -0.053, p = 0.028) than non-Hispanic White parents.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Parents' attitudes and norms influence their vaccination intentions. Despite the survey predating widespread child vaccine availability, findings are pertinent given the need to increase and sustain pediatric vaccinations against COVID-19. Interventions promoting positive vaccine attitudes and prosocial norms are warranted. Tailored interventions and diverse communication strategies for parental subgroups may be useful to ensure comprehensive and effective vaccination initiatives.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305877 |
| spellingShingle | Hyunmin Yu Stephen Bonett Ufuoma Oyiborhoro Subhash Aryal Andrew Kim Melanie L Kornides John B Jemmott Karen Glanz Antonia M Villarruel José A Bauermeister Psychosocial correlates of parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. PLoS ONE |
| title | Psychosocial correlates of parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. |
| title_full | Psychosocial correlates of parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. |
| title_fullStr | Psychosocial correlates of parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychosocial correlates of parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. |
| title_short | Psychosocial correlates of parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. |
| title_sort | psychosocial correlates of parents willingness to vaccinate their children against covid 19 |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305877 |
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