Understanding caregivers' decision to vaccinate childhood cancer survivors against COVID-19.
Cancer Med
; 12(23): 21354-21363, 2023 12.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37937725
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended for childhood cancer survivors (CCS). This study aimed to identify antecedents contributing to caregivers' decisions to vaccinate CCS aged 5-17 years against COVID-19 by applying the Theory of Planned Behavior.METHODS:
Participants in this cross-sectional study completed an online survey assessing caregiver attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention to vaccinate CCS, CCS vaccination status, COVID-19 health literacy, and frequency of COVID-19 information-seeking. Surveys were completed between May and June 2022 following approval for the emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines among children aged ≥5 years in the U.S. Data were analyzed using unadjusted linear regressions and structural equation modeling.RESULTS:
Participants were caregivers (n = 160, 87.5% biological mothers, 75.6% white/non-Hispanic) of CCS (n = 160, 44.4% female, mean (M) = 12.5 years old, M = 8.0 years off treatment). 70.0% (n = 112) of caregivers and 53.8% (n = 86) of CCS received a COVID-19 vaccine. Over one-third (37.5%) of caregivers reported disagreement or indecision about future COVID-19 vaccination for the CCS. Caregivers' intention (ß = 0.962; standard error [S.E.] = 0.028; p < 0.001) was highly related to CCS vaccination status. Attitudes (ß = 0.568; S.E. = 0.078; p < 0.001) and subjective norms (ß = 0.322; S.E. = 0.062; p < 0.001) were associated with intention. Higher frequency of COVID-19 information-seeking (ß = 0.313; S.E. = 0.063; p < 0.001) and COVID-19 health literacy (ß = 0.234; S.E. = 0.059; p < 0.001) had a positive indirect effect on intention through attitudes and subjective norms.CONCLUSIONS:
Caregivers' vaccination intentions for minor CCS are highly related to vaccination behavior and shaped by attitudes, subjective norms, COVID-19 health literacy, and frequency of COVID-19 information-seeking. Promoting tailored communication with caregivers of CCS and encouraging them to review reputable sources of information can address their vaccine hesitancy.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Sobreviventes de Câncer
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COVID-19
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Neoplasias
Limite:
Child
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article