Evaluation of vaccination perspectives and anti-vaccination opposition in Eskişehir province

Gezici H. An Evaluation of Attitudes Toward Vaccination and Vaccine Opposition in Eskişehir Province. Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Medical Residency Thesis, Eskişehir, 2025. This study aims to investigate individuals' perspectives on vaccination and to identify the underlying reasons for vaccine opposition and hesitancy. This cross sectional study included 755 participants. Participants were administered short forms of the Vaccine Opposition Scale along with a structured questionnaire and Sociodemographic data form. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 23.0. No statistically significant differences were found in the vaccine opposition scale scores based on age, gender, marital status, parental status, number of children, presence of chronic illness, social media use, or whether the participant or their children experienced side effects following vaccination. However, vaccine opposition scores were significantly higher among pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women; participants with a postgraduate education compared to those in other education groups; those whose income exceeded their expenditures compared to other income groups; individuals residing in city or district centers compared to those living in villages or small towns; non-smokers compared to smokers; those who received vaccines after the age of 18 compared to those who did not; and those who received the COVID-19 vaccine compared to those who did not. Participants who stated that the origin of the vaccine (domestic or foreign) would not affect their preferences, those who considered the opinions of specialists and family physicians, and those who did not rely on television, internet, or social media for vaccine-related information had significantly lower vaccine opposition scores than their counterparts. There was no statistically significant correlation between participants' income levels and the rate of having their children receive non-routine vaccines. In contrast, the rate of receiving non-routine vaccines was shown to be increased with higher levels of education. Key Words: Vaccination, vaccine opposition, vaccine refusal, vaccine hesitancy, non-routine vaccinations