Knowledge levels, attitudes, and behaviors of parents with children aged 0-2 regarding rotavirus and meningitis vaccines

Vaccination is one of the most important preventive health services, protecting both individual and public health by preventing infectious diseases. In Turkey, many vaccines are provided free of charge under the Expanded Immunization Program (EIP). However, rotavirus and meningitis vaccines are not included in the national immunization schedule, requiring parents to obtain them at their own expense. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge levels, attitudes and behaviors of parents with children aged 0-2 regarding rotavirus and meningitis vaccines. This study was designed as a descriptive research study and was conducted between October 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, at central Family Health Centers (FHCs) in Denizli, Turkey. The study population consisted of parents with children aged 0-2 years who visited the Pamukkale Kayhan FHC, Pamukkale Bağbaşı FHC, Pamukkale Yeni Mahalle FHC, Merkezefendi Gümüşler FHC, Merkezefendi Yenişehir FHC, and Merkezefendi Karaman FHC. No sampling method was applied, as the study aimed to reach the entire population. The inclusion criteria were being 18 years or older, having a child aged 0-2 years, and being able to speak Turkish. Data were collected through a questionnaire covering sociodemographic information, the necessity of vaccination, sources of information, regular vaccination status, reasons for not vaccinating, awareness of paid vaccines, and opinions on special vaccines (rotavirus, meningococcal). Data analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0 software, with statistical evaluations conducted using both parametric and non-parametric tests. A total of 411 parents participated in the study, with 67.9% being mothers and 32.1% fathers, and the mean age was 34.9 ± 7.2 years. The educational levels of the participants were as follows: 44.0% university/postgraduate, 38.4% high school, 14.1% middle school, and 3.4% primary school graduates. While 92.5% of parents had their children vaccinated with free vaccines, the rates for rotavirus and meningococcal vaccines were lower. The primary reasons for not vaccinating included lack of information (10.0%), concerns about side effects (30.0%), the belief that vaccines are harmful (35.0%), and skepticism about vaccine effectiveness (32.5%). Among those who did not receive paid vaccines (31.6%), the main reasons were economic constraints (47.8%), lack of knowledge (32.1%), fear of side effects (20.1%), the perception that the vaccine is unnecessary (18.4%), and social influence (15.9%). Parents reported obtaining information from family physicians (67.2%), pediatricians (38.7%), and nurses/midwives (74.2%). The vaccination rate for paid vaccines was significantly higher among university-educated parents, while economic and informational barriers were more pronounced among those with lower education levels (p<0.05). Our study indicates that if rotavirus and meningococcal vaccines were provided free of charge by the government, vaccination rates would increase significantly. Additionally, parents who had contact with healthcare professionals had higher vaccination rates, whereas those who relied on social media and the internet had lower rates. Based on these findings, it is recommended that research is needed regarding the effects of family physicians and pediatricians to raise parental awareness of vaccinations, reliable scientific content promotion on social media, and economic barriers be addressed by incorporating special vaccines into the national immunization program. Keywords: Rotavirus vaccine, Meningococcal vaccine, Vaccine awareness, Vaccine Hesitancy, Parental Attitude.