Social determinants of vaccine hesitancy among the Lebanese parents: A Cross-sectional Study
1
INSPECT (Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban), Beirut, Lebanon
2
School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
3
School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International Univeristy, Beirut, Lebanon
4
Faculty of Public health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
5
Department of Primary Care and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
6
College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
7
Lebanese Order of Pharmacy, Beirut, Lebanon
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Vaccines are vital in preventing infectious diseases and saving millions of lives globally. However, the rise of vaccine hesitancy has hindered adequate vaccination coverage, particularly among children. This study explores the social determinants influencing childhood vaccine hesitancy among a sample of Lebanese parents, focusing on how individuals are born, grow, live, and work.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire that gathered socio-demographic characteristics, factors influencing childhood vaccination, and social determinants of health (SDOH), including socioeconomic status (SES), Vaccine Health Literacy (VHL), Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES), political and economic instability, and Discrimination in Medical Settings Scale (DMS). Data were analyzed using bivariate tests and multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS:
A total of 251 participants were included. The mean age was 34.94 ± 8.69 years, with 55.8% being female, and the mean child age was 21.35 ± 11.53 months. Higher vaccine hesitancy was observed among individuals reporting higher discrimination in medical settings (Beta = 0.752, p < 0.001), stronger religious beliefs (Beta = 0.866, p < 0.001), and lower SES (Beta = 0.265, p < 0.001). Conversely, higher vaccine literacy (Beta = 0.216, p = 0.035) and a health education background (Beta = 6.262, p = 0.011) were associated with lower hesitancy.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study highlights key social determinants of vaccine hesitancy among a sample of Lebanese parents, emphasizing the role of medical discrimination, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic status. Improving vaccine literacy and health education, particularly in vulnerable populations, is crucial to reducing hesitancy. Addressing discrimination in healthcare settings and fostering trust in the medical system are also essential.
Vaccines are vital in preventing infectious diseases and saving millions of lives globally. However, the rise of vaccine hesitancy has hindered adequate vaccination coverage, particularly among children. This study explores the social determinants influencing childhood vaccine hesitancy among a sample of Lebanese parents, focusing on how individuals are born, grow, live, and work.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire that gathered socio-demographic characteristics, factors influencing childhood vaccination, and social determinants of health (SDOH), including socioeconomic status (SES), Vaccine Health Literacy (VHL), Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES), political and economic instability, and Discrimination in Medical Settings Scale (DMS). Data were analyzed using bivariate tests and multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS:
A total of 251 participants were included. The mean age was 34.94 ± 8.69 years, with 55.8% being female, and the mean child age was 21.35 ± 11.53 months. Higher vaccine hesitancy was observed among individuals reporting higher discrimination in medical settings (Beta = 0.752, p < 0.001), stronger religious beliefs (Beta = 0.866, p < 0.001), and lower SES (Beta = 0.265, p < 0.001). Conversely, higher vaccine literacy (Beta = 0.216, p = 0.035) and a health education background (Beta = 6.262, p = 0.011) were associated with lower hesitancy.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study highlights key social determinants of vaccine hesitancy among a sample of Lebanese parents, emphasizing the role of medical discrimination, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic status. Improving vaccine literacy and health education, particularly in vulnerable populations, is crucial to reducing hesitancy. Addressing discrimination in healthcare settings and fostering trust in the medical system are also essential.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
