Evaluation of knowledge, attitudes and behaviors regarding vaccine hesitancy and rational drug use individuals over 18 years of age

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between vaccine hesitancy and the rational use of medicines among individuals aged 18 years and older, across the domains of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours, and to evaluate the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on these two health-related behaviours. Materials and Methods: The research was designed as a cross-sectional and descriptive study and was conducted between 1 March 2025 and 31 August 2025 at the Bolu Şehit İsmail Şeremet Family Health Center. The study sample consisted of 207 voluntary participants aged 18 years and above. Data were collected using a Sociodemographic Information Form, the 21-item Vaccine Hesitancy Scale, and the 21-item Rational Use of Medicines Scale. Statistical analyses were performed to examine correlations and group differences according to gender, income level, and presence of chronic disease or medication use. Results: A statistically significant negative correlation was identified between rational use of medicines and vaccine opposition (r =–0.581, p<0.001). Female participants exhibited lower vaccine hesitancy and higher rational medicine use than males (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). The mean vaccine opposition scores of the middle-income group were significantly lower than those of the high-income group (p = 0.016), while their rational medicine use scores were significantly higher (p=0.013). Participants with chronic diseases and/or regular medication use had significantly lower rational medicine use scores (p <0.05). Moreover, participants who perceived their knowledge of rational medicine use as adequate reported significantly higher vaccine opposition and subdimension scores (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study findings demonstrate that higher levels of rational use of medicines are associated with significantly lower vaccine hesitancy. Male participants showed greater hesitancy than females. The middle-income group displayed both higher rational medicine use and more positive vaccination attitudes compared to the high- and low-income groups. Participants with chronic diseases or regular medication use exhibited lower rational medicine use. Interestingly, despite perceiving higher benefits of vaccination, individuals who rated their knowledge of rational medicine use as sufficient also had unexpectedly higher overall vaccine opposition scores. KEYWORDS: Vaccine Hesitancy; Rational Use of Medicines; Vaccine Opposition.