The Association Between Risk Perception and COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy for Children Among Reproductive Women in China: An Online Survey

Background: This study aimed to explore the association between risk perception and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy among reproductive women in China to supplement limited studies in this area. Methods: From December 14, 2020, to January 31, 2021, an anonymous cross-sectional online survey was conducted on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for children among reproductive women in China. We assessed risk perception, including perceived susceptibility, severity, barriers, and benefits using the health belief model, and then classified each variable into three groups (low, moderate, and high) based on tertiles. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and knowledge of COVID-19 was also collected. The Pearson chi(2)-test was used to compare vaccine hesitancy among the above mentioned factors. Logistic regression models were used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of risk perception related to vaccine hesitancy after controlling for the above covariates. Results: Among 3,011 reproductive women, 8.44% (95%CI: 7.44. 9.43) had COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine hesitancy was observed more in women who lived in eastern China (11.63%), aged > 45 years (12.00%), had a lower than high school education level (12.77%), and a low score on knowledge of COVID-19 (12.22%). Vaccine hesitancy was associated with lower perceived susceptibility (moderate: aOR = 1.72, 95%CI: 1.17-2.54, P = 0.0061; low: aOR = 2.44, 95%CI: 1.60-3.70, P < 0.0001), high perceived barriers (aOR = 2.86, 95%CI: 1.57-5.22, P < 0.0001), and lower perceived benefit (moderate: aOR = 3.29, 95%CI: 2.30-4.70, P < 0.0001; low: aOR = 4.59, 95%CI: 2.98-7.07, P < 0.0001), but not with perceived severity. Conclusions: Although the proportion of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for children among Chinese reproductive women was < 1 out of 10, to improve COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, our findings suggest that tailored public health measures are needed to increase perceived susceptibility and benefit, and decrease perceived barriers among reproductive women.

Automated summary

The study found that COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was relatively low among reproductive women in China, but there was still a certain proportion of individuals affected. Vaccine hesitancy was associated with lower perceived susceptibility, increased perceived barriers, and decreased perceived benefits, suggesting that tailored public health measures are needed to enhance perceived susceptibility and benefits while reducing perceived barriers among reproductive women.