ATTITUDES OF PARENTS RAISING CHILDREN TOWARD CHILD VACCINATION: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Objective - to identify the main reasons shaping Lithuanian parents' attitudes towards childhood vaccinations.
Methodology. A qualitative study was conducted using a semi-structured interview method. Twenty parents from different cities in Lithuania with different attitudes towards vaccination participated in the study (9 - positive, 7 - negative, 4 - uncertain). The questions were prepared based on the 5C model recommended by the ECDC to assess confidence, complacency, constraints, risk calculation, and collective responsibility. Content analysis was used to perform a qualitative content analysis, with data divided into categories and subcategories.
Results and summary. The results of the study revealed that parents' attitudes toward vaccination are not simply a matter of being "for" or "against" it – they are influenced by a combination of psychological, social, and behavioral factors. When evaluating parents' responses according to the 5C model, it was observed that trust is one of the most important reasons for choosing vaccination: parents with a positive attitude trust the effectiveness and safety of vaccines and the healthcare system, and demonstrate a sense of collective responsibility. Parents who doubt the effectiveness of vaccines perceive the risk of disease as low, therefore they consider vaccination unnecessary or associate it with the onset of certain diseases. It has been observed that some parents encounter obstacles in the vaccination process – they lack information about vaccination from doctors, have difficulty getting to the healthcare facilities, or have trouble coordinating vaccination times with work. When looking for information about vaccines, both independently and through conversations with acquaintances, parents tend to select only information that confirms their views and ignore information that contradicts them. Since parents' attitudes toward vaccination are not solely a matter of knowledge, it is necessary to consistently improve competencies and communication practices among health professionals: by viewing each parent as an individual, to understand their personal experiences, fears, and information needs.