Predictors on parent's attitudes toward the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine in Jordan: An education program.

BACKGROUND

Vaccine hesitancy is considered 1 of the top 10 threats to global health. This study aims to assess the impact of an education program on parents' attitudes toward the measles-rubella vaccine.

METHODS

A study was conducted with 250 parents using a randomized controlled trial design. The intervention group (125 parents) received training, education programs, and video, while the control group (125 parents) only received video. The Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) scale, including its behavior, safety and efficacy, and trust subscales, was used for pre-post assessment. This allowed for comparison between the groups and measurement of score differences. The PACV scale (range 0-42) identified vaccine hesitancy, with a score below 21 indicating "non-hesitant" and 21 or higher indicating "hesitant."

RESULTS

The intervention group had a significant decrease in PACV scores after the program (17.54 ± 4.7, P = .001), mainly in behavior, safety, efficacy, and trust (6.4 ± 3.6, 9.8 ± 4.7, 3.9 ± 2; P = .001, .011, .002). The control group showed no changes (23.6 ± 3.5; P = .402). Postintervention PACV score differences were significant (t = 11.562, P = .001).

DISCUSSION: Findings indicate that the education program had a positive effect on changing vaccine hesitancy.

CONCLUSIONS

The education programs promoted vaccine acceptance among parents.