Factors Related with Vaccination Acceptance Behaviour among Parents Using PLS-SEM Analysis

Abstract

The childhood vaccination program, which is offered to all children under the age of 17 for free, is a crucial preventative measure against infectious diseases in Malaysia. Knowledge, attitude, beliefs, and trust towards healthcare providers (HCPs) have been shown to impact parental acceptance of vaccines. This study aimed to examine the influence of factors on vaccination acceptance behaviour among parents. This cross-sectional study involved the distribution of a self-administered questionnaire among 251 parents in a healthcare education institution were analysed by producing a Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) model using Smart Partial Least Square (Smart-PLS) software. Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) was used as a determinant model with knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and healthcare provider trust (HCPT), and vaccination intention as a mediating variable for the vaccination acceptance behaviour among parents. The finding indicate a vaccination intention has partially mediator effect (VAF=64.3%) in between knowledge and beliefs on vaccination acceptance. Results showed the data fitted well with the model. The final vaccination acceptance model has been developed and validated. Although the findings showed only knowledge and beliefs have a significant relationship with vaccination acceptance. Hence, the ongoing research must be intensified. Therefore, this study can be used to guide decision-making on the execution of the vaccination not only in Malaysia but also in other countries with a history of serious vaccination hesitancy.