Sociodemographic profile and vaccine hesitancy against COVID-19 of children assisted by a Family Health Strategy

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 has brought about the most significant public health emergency in recent years, and vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a major challenge, requiring research to inform public policies. This study aimed to analyze the sociodemographic variables of children and vaccine hesitancy against COVID-19 among those receiving care under the Family Health Strategy in Conceição do Mato Dentro, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methodology: A cross-sectional, exploratory, and retrospective study was conducted with a sample of 352 children between January and July 2022. To assess associations between vaccine hesitancy and sociodemographic characteristics, Fisher’s Exact Test was used. When an association was identified, the odds ratio was calculated. Results: A total of 73.86% of the children were vaccinated, while 10.80% had not received any dose. It was found that Catholics had 4.03 times higher odds of being vaccinated, while individuals belonging to microarea 2 had 57% lower odds (OR = 0.43) of being vaccinated. Conclusion: The findings are believed to support public health actions aimed at countering misinformation and strengthening the user- professional relationship, contributing to improved health outcomes.