Vaccine hesitancy and refusal: perspectives of midwives working in family health centers - a descriptive cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the views of midwives working in family health centers regarding vaccine hesitancy and refusal, as well as the solution strategies they propose for this issue.

METHOD: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 81 midwives working in family health centers in the province of Uşak, Türkiye, between March 24 and May 18, 2021. Data were collected via Google Forms using a structured questionnaire developed based on the literature. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages.

RESULTS

According to midwives' reports, the most frequently cited factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy and refusal include exposure to anti-vaccine websites (90.1%), concerns about vaccine ingredients (70.4%), the influence attributed to community leaders (66.7%), and religious beliefs (65.4%). Other reported factors include past vaccination experiences (56.8%), distrust of vaccine manufacturers (44.4%), and distrust of healthcare workers and the healthcare system (38.3%). An analysis of vaccine information sources revealed that patients most frequently used the internet (37.0%), their social environment (30.9%), healthcare institutions (24.7%), and television (7.4%). 65.4% of midwives reported encountering anti-vaccine individuals. The most frequently recommended strategies include: presenting television content supporting vaccination (70.4%), broadcasting public service announcements via television and the internet (67.9%), and providing information about vaccines through healthcare workers (58.0%).

CONCLUSION

Midwives' field observations suggest that vaccine hesitancy and refusal may be associated with digital misinformation, trust-related concerns, and sociocultural factors. Strengthening education initiatives led by healthcare workers and media-based information strategies could potentially contribute to increasing vaccine acceptance.