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.

Keywords: Malaria; endemic diseases; vaccinations; vaccine refusal.