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Volume 13 Issue 8 (August) 2024

Original Articles

Vaccine Hesitancy: Exploring Causes, Consequences, and Strategies to Enhance Vaccination Rates and Public Trust
Mahesh Rath, Subraham Pany, Antaryami Sahoo

Background: Vaccine hesitancy, characterized by the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite their availability, poses a significant threat to public health. Understanding the underlying causes of vaccine hesitancy and its consequences is crucial for developing effective strategies to improve vaccination rates and public trust in vaccines. Aim: This study aims to investigate the causes and consequences of vaccine hesitancy and to evaluate strategies to enhance vaccination rates and public trust in vaccines within a specific population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 300 participants were randomly selected and assessed using structured interviews and validated questionnaires. Data were analyzedusing SPSS version 23.0, with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression employed to examine associations and identify predictors of vaccine hesitancy. Results: The study found that 35% of the participants exhibited vaccine hesitancy, with significant associations observed with age, education level, and employment status. Higher education was associated with lower vaccine hesitancy (OR = 0.45, p = 0.045), while unemployment increased the likelihood of hesitancy (OR = 1.65, p = 0.045). Trust in healthcare providers was high, but trust in social media as a source of vaccine information was low. Vaccine-hesitant individuals were significantly more likely to have missed scheduled vaccinations (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy is influenced by educational and socioeconomic factors, with significant public health implications. Efforts to reduce hesitancy should focus on educational interventions and addressing socioeconomic barriers. Enhancing trust in healthcare providers and combating misinformation on social media are essential strategies to improve vaccination rates. Recommendations: Public health strategies should prioritize targeted educational campaigns, improve access to reliable vaccine information, and address socioeconomic disparities. Collaboration between healthcare providers and community leaders is recommended to build public trust and counter vaccine misinformation.

 
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