The relationship between parental source of information and knowledge about measles/measles vaccine and vaccine hesitancy.
2Department of Pediatrics A, Schneider Children’s Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine
3Department of Pediatrics, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center and Technion Faculty of Medicine
4Department of Pediatrics, Ziv Medical Center
5Wilf’s Children Hospital, Shaare Zedek Medical Center
6Department of Health Systems Management, Ariel University
Background: Although measles eradication is potentially achievable, in 2018–2019 a worldwide resurgence of measles and measles-caused deaths occurred. The main driver was incomplete or no vaccination, designated as vaccine hesitancy (VH).
Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 399 individuals dispersed all over the country was conducted. Research assistants interviewed parents with a 20-question survey which was previously validated. The questionnaire included four sections: demographics, major sources of information on measles/ measles vaccine, knowledge about measles/measles vaccine, and status of child’s vaccination. Univariate and multivariate analyses explored associations between correct knowledge and VH.
Results: The majority of respondents were between the ages of 25–39 (62%). Of these, 309 (77%) vaccinated their children against measles on time, 32 (8%) vaccinations were incomplete, and 58 (15%) did not vaccinate, for a total VH of 23%. Parents < 30 years-old and those with a single-child vaccinated less frequently (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Internet and social media were the major sources of information for 32% regarding measles/measles vaccine and for 49% regarding the measles outbreak; both sources were negatively associated with correct knowledge (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, knowledge was independently associated with timely vaccine administration (p < 0.001) and internet or social media as sources with higher VH (OR 2.52, 95%CI 1.18–5.37 and OR 2.44, 95%CI 1.01–5.91, respectively).
Conclusions: Social-media and the internet are a common source of information on measles/measles vaccine (probably on other vaccines as well), and often associated with incorrect knowledge, which relates significantly to VH. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this prevailing behavior and respond accordingly in these platforms, with the aid of experts in social-networking.