Psychosocial Factors of Cervical Cancer Vaccine Hesitancy in Parents

Abstract

This study examines how do Psychosocial factors (Health belief, Illness Perception and Religious Attitude) tend to influence the level of cervical cancer vaccine hesitancy in parents. Despite the global implementation of HPV vaccine, uptake remains sub- optimal in Pakistan amid its recent national rollout, where parent’s skepticism driven by the misinformation, lack of trust and fear of infertility has hindered campaign success. A (Quantitative) Correlational research design was used. The parents (fathers=55, mothers=91) were recruited from community settings using snowball sampling Strategy. The standardized instruments was used such as the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear, Religious Attitude Scale and WHO SAGE Vaccine Hesitancy Scale, in addition to a demographic questionnaire. The results showed that parents who had a higher level of perceived seriousness of cervical cancer exhibited less vaccine hesitancy, specifically in terms of lack of confidence. Conversely, greater illness perceptions were linked with greater worries about vaccine-related harms, hinting at the multidimensional and complex nature of vaccine hesitancy. The relationship of psychosocial factors and vaccine hesitancy, however, was not significantly moderated by religious attitude. Culturally sensitive awareness programs, improved health communication and targeted community-based strategies may enhance vaccine acceptance and contribute to the preventions of cervical cancer in Pakistan.