Examining Vaccine Hesitancy Among Ghanaian Parents for the R21/Matrix-M Malaria Vaccine

Abstract

Introduction

This study aimed to assess Ghanaian parental attitudes toward a new malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, and its associated determinants.

Method

A cross-sectional survey was conducted anonymously in July and August 2023 using snowball and convenience sampling techniques, using the Parental Attitude about Children Vaccination Scale.

Results

A total of 818 individuals were included, 67.2% were females, their median age was 32 years, and 29.01% were hesitant to vaccinate their children. People living in forests, with younger children, having the youngest child aged 1–3 years, skipping antenatal care or scheduled vaccinations, and not being willing to give the R21/Matrix-M vaccine to children, were vaccine-hesitant. However, healthcare workers, those having a relative who died from malaria, and those who vaccinated their child against malaria were less hesitant.

Discussion

A large sector of parents expressed willingness to vaccinate their children against malaria. Addressing parental hesitancy requires intervention programs targeting the identified factors and enhancing parental knowledge.