A qualitative systematic review of factors influencing parents’ vaccination decision-making in the United Kingdom

Background: High uptake of vaccinations is crucial for disease prevention. Although overall uptake of childhood immunisations is high in the United Kingdom (UK), pockets of lower uptake remain. Novel systematic methods have not been employed when reviewing the qualitative literature examining parent...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Alice S. Forster, Lauren Rockliffe, Amanda J. Chorley, Laura A.V. Marlow, Helen Bedford, Samuel G. Smith, Jo Waller
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2016-12-01
Series:SSM: Population Health
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827316300477
_version_ 1811277690921025536
author Alice S. Forster
Lauren Rockliffe
Amanda J. Chorley
Laura A.V. Marlow
Helen Bedford
Samuel G. Smith
Jo Waller
author_facet Alice S. Forster
Lauren Rockliffe
Amanda J. Chorley
Laura A.V. Marlow
Helen Bedford
Samuel G. Smith
Jo Waller
author_sort Alice S. Forster
collection DOAJ
description Background: High uptake of vaccinations is crucial for disease prevention. Although overall uptake of childhood immunisations is high in the United Kingdom (UK), pockets of lower uptake remain. Novel systematic methods have not been employed when reviewing the qualitative literature examining parents’ vaccination decisions. Aims: We aimed to conduct a qualitative systematic review of studies in the UK to understand factors influencing parental decisions to vaccinate a child. Methods: On 12/2/14 we searched PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL plus, Embase, Social Policy and Practice and Web of Science for studies using qualitative methods and reporting reasons why parents in the UK had or had not immunised their child. Participant quotes and authors’ interpretations of qualitative data were extracted from the results of articles. Thematic synthesis was used to develop higher-order themes (conducted in 2015). Results: 34 papers were included. Two types of decision-making had been adopted: non-deliberative and deliberative. With non-deliberative decisions parents felt they had no choice, were happy to comply and/or relied on social norms. Deliberative decisions involved weighing up the risks and benefits, considering others’ advice/experiences and social judgement. Emotions affected deliberative decision-making. Trust in information and vaccine stakeholders was integral to all decision-making. Practical issues affected those who intended to vaccinate. Conclusions: Parents adopted two different approaches to decision-making about childhood vaccinations. By understanding more about the mechanisms underpinning parents’ vaccination behaviour, in collaboration with vaccine stakeholders, we can better design interventions to enhance informed uptake. Keywords: Thematic synthesis, Vaccination, Parents, Patient Acceptance of Health Care
first_indexed 2024-04-13T00:20:10Z
format Article
id doaj.art-75aef00b7f244e049bf70aee3e6c4860
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2352-8273
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-13T00:20:10Z
publishDate 2016-12-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series SSM: Population Health
spelling doaj.art-75aef00b7f244e049bf70aee3e6c48602022-12-22T03:10:47ZengElsevierSSM: Population Health2352-82732016-12-012603612A qualitative systematic review of factors influencing parents’ vaccination decision-making in the United KingdomAlice S. Forster0Lauren Rockliffe1Amanda J. Chorley2Laura A.V. Marlow3Helen Bedford4Samuel G. Smith5Jo Waller6Health Behaviour Research Centre, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom; Corresponding author.Health Behaviour Research Centre, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United KingdomHealth Behaviour Research Centre, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United KingdomHealth Behaviour Research Centre, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United KingdomInstitute of Child Health, UCL, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, United KingdomWolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, United KingdomHealth Behaviour Research Centre, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United KingdomBackground: High uptake of vaccinations is crucial for disease prevention. Although overall uptake of childhood immunisations is high in the United Kingdom (UK), pockets of lower uptake remain. Novel systematic methods have not been employed when reviewing the qualitative literature examining parents’ vaccination decisions. Aims: We aimed to conduct a qualitative systematic review of studies in the UK to understand factors influencing parental decisions to vaccinate a child. Methods: On 12/2/14 we searched PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL plus, Embase, Social Policy and Practice and Web of Science for studies using qualitative methods and reporting reasons why parents in the UK had or had not immunised their child. Participant quotes and authors’ interpretations of qualitative data were extracted from the results of articles. Thematic synthesis was used to develop higher-order themes (conducted in 2015). Results: 34 papers were included. Two types of decision-making had been adopted: non-deliberative and deliberative. With non-deliberative decisions parents felt they had no choice, were happy to comply and/or relied on social norms. Deliberative decisions involved weighing up the risks and benefits, considering others’ advice/experiences and social judgement. Emotions affected deliberative decision-making. Trust in information and vaccine stakeholders was integral to all decision-making. Practical issues affected those who intended to vaccinate. Conclusions: Parents adopted two different approaches to decision-making about childhood vaccinations. By understanding more about the mechanisms underpinning parents’ vaccination behaviour, in collaboration with vaccine stakeholders, we can better design interventions to enhance informed uptake. Keywords: Thematic synthesis, Vaccination, Parents, Patient Acceptance of Health Carehttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827316300477
spellingShingle Alice S. Forster
Lauren Rockliffe
Amanda J. Chorley
Laura A.V. Marlow
Helen Bedford
Samuel G. Smith
Jo Waller
A qualitative systematic review of factors influencing parents’ vaccination decision-making in the United Kingdom
SSM: Population Health
title A qualitative systematic review of factors influencing parents’ vaccination decision-making in the United Kingdom
title_full A qualitative systematic review of factors influencing parents’ vaccination decision-making in the United Kingdom
title_fullStr A qualitative systematic review of factors influencing parents’ vaccination decision-making in the United Kingdom
title_full_unstemmed A qualitative systematic review of factors influencing parents’ vaccination decision-making in the United Kingdom
title_short A qualitative systematic review of factors influencing parents’ vaccination decision-making in the United Kingdom
title_sort qualitative systematic review of factors influencing parents vaccination decision making in the united kingdom
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827316300477
work_keys_str_mv AT alicesforster aqualitativesystematicreviewoffactorsinfluencingparentsvaccinationdecisionmakingintheunitedkingdom
AT laurenrockliffe aqualitativesystematicreviewoffactorsinfluencingparentsvaccinationdecisionmakingintheunitedkingdom
AT amandajchorley aqualitativesystematicreviewoffactorsinfluencingparentsvaccinationdecisionmakingintheunitedkingdom
AT lauraavmarlow aqualitativesystematicreviewoffactorsinfluencingparentsvaccinationdecisionmakingintheunitedkingdom
AT helenbedford aqualitativesystematicreviewoffactorsinfluencingparentsvaccinationdecisionmakingintheunitedkingdom
AT samuelgsmith aqualitativesystematicreviewoffactorsinfluencingparentsvaccinationdecisionmakingintheunitedkingdom
AT jowaller aqualitativesystematicreviewoffactorsinfluencingparentsvaccinationdecisionmakingintheunitedkingdom
AT alicesforster qualitativesystematicreviewoffactorsinfluencingparentsvaccinationdecisionmakingintheunitedkingdom
AT laurenrockliffe qualitativesystematicreviewoffactorsinfluencingparentsvaccinationdecisionmakingintheunitedkingdom
AT amandajchorley qualitativesystematicreviewoffactorsinfluencingparentsvaccinationdecisionmakingintheunitedkingdom
AT lauraavmarlow qualitativesystematicreviewoffactorsinfluencingparentsvaccinationdecisionmakingintheunitedkingdom
AT helenbedford qualitativesystematicreviewoffactorsinfluencingparentsvaccinationdecisionmakingintheunitedkingdom
AT samuelgsmith qualitativesystematicreviewoffactorsinfluencingparentsvaccinationdecisionmakingintheunitedkingdom
AT jowaller qualitativesystematicreviewoffactorsinfluencingparentsvaccinationdecisionmakingintheunitedkingdom