Social capital, trust in health information, and acceptance of Measles–Rubella vaccination campaign in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Background:Parents' decision about vaccination of children is influenced by social relationships and sources of information. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of social capital and trust in health information on the status of Measles–Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign in Tamil Nadu.Materials and Methods:This was a case–control study carried out in Kancheepuram district in Tamil Nadu where the MR vaccination campaign offered by Government of Tamil Nadu had poor acceptance. Cases were parents of children who had refused the MR vaccine and controls were parents having children in the same age group who had accepted the vaccine. Data on social capital and trust in health information were collected by using social capital scale developed by the researchers and trust in the source of information was measured by using simple questions on the level of trust in the information source.Results:Nonadministration of MR vaccine was high among young parents and parents of younger children. Vaccine acceptance was higher when it was offered at school (P < 0.000) and also among parents who trusted school teachers (P < 0.003) and other school children (P < 0.014) as source of information. MR vaccine acceptance was less among parents who trusted social media and WhatsApp information. Greater levels of health-related physical social capital led to greater vaccine hesitancy. Multivariate analysis revealed that greater the age of the child, better parental attitudes toward vaccination, poorer health-related physical social capital, and greater trust in health information provided by school teachers led to overall greater acceptance of the MR vaccine.Conclusion:Strong homogeneous bonding social capital had a negative influence on MR vaccine acceptance. Schools and school teachers played a vital role in influencing parental decision to vaccinate.

Vaccine Hesitancy as a Challenge or Vaccine Confidence as an Opportunity for Childhood Immunisation in India

“…One article presented challenges reported by healthcare providers from different countries including India [ 22 ]. Among those nine articles, one reported results from the pulse polio campaign [ 18 ], and two were specific to measles-rubella (MR) vaccination [ 17 , 19 ]. It was important to identify not only factors that add to VH in these articles but also factors that add to confidence in vaccination.…”

Exploration of Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance by Gender for a Modified Shortened Adapted Social Capital Assessment Tool in India

“…However, while India has demonstrated substantial achievement in increasing life expectancy and improving literacy and quality of life, considerable disparities exist in UP based on geographical, gender, socioeconomic, and educational factors (Reddy et al, 2011). Although previous studies measured social capital in other states of India, such as Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, and Tamil Nadu (De Kaplan et al, 2018;Palanisamy et al, 2018), only a few studies explored social capital in the context of rural UP.…”

Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign

“…According to estimates, Tamil Nadu recorded the lowest coverage at 54%. [ 2 ] The present study conducted in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu[ 3 ] looks into a hitherto less explored area vis-a-vis the role of social capital in vaccine acceptance through a case-control study. The study emphasizes the role of social capital and trust on vaccine acceptance.…”

“…It also emphasizes that wherever teachers have strongly recommended the vaccine the vaccine uptake has been good and coverage levels sustained. [ 1 3 ] The authors show how close knit homogenous groups are less amenable to advice on vaccination[ 3 ] and the influence of social media appears malicious and strong.…”

“…Influencing the bonding, bridging, and linking capital will help to reach, persuade, and negotiate with the influencers around the resistant individual. The communication for development process should help to deal with such bonding, bridging, and linking capital,[ 3 ] which may at times be outside the country, for example, NRI husbands in the middle east and within such as religious leaders, grandparents, etc.…”