Abstract
This book consists of three chapters: 1. Theoretical Approaches, 2.
Diagnostics and Intervention, and 3. Empirical Research Probes.
The introduction of the first chapter Theoretical Approaches states that the main problem of the issue of "laymen vaccine hesitancy" is that it too broad. Six models of theoretical approaches are therefore presented to provide a detailed description of the category in question.The second part of the publication consists of three chapters.
A survey of selected quantitative tools for determining laymen vaccine hesitancy rate is presented. 14 questionnaires are included, the data from which are presented in a uniform manner. The next chapter is dedicated to a qualitative approach to determine the reasons behind laymen vaccine hesitancy.
Most qualitative research takes the form of semi-structural dialogues held with the parents or grandparents of children to be vaccinated, with vaccine hesitant adults or with medical professionals such as doctors and nurses. The third chapter deals with interventional strategies for reducing laymen vaccine hesitancy and enhancing their motivation to get vaccinated.
These interventions are mainly implemented by pediatricians and pediatric nurses, the majority of which however had not been previously systematically trained for such tasks during their studies or professional training. The final part of the publication focuses on Czech research regarding laymen vaccine hesitancy.
The penultimate chapter presents psychologic research including 1173 Czech parents (1 127 mothers, 42 fathers). Parents who feel well-informed by their general pediatrician, are keener to have their child vaccinated.
The vaccination rate increased with the increasing level of vaccine awareness. The last chapter describes the course and results of a pilot study to validate the Czech version of American questionnaire PACV - Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (Opel et al.). The questionnaire measures the degree of parents' vaccine hesitancy.
It is rather short relatively easy to fill in, its used formulations are understandable for lay persons and can be easily filled during the waiting time at the doctor's office to be subsequently discussed with the doctor. This questionnaire is therefore considered a reliable and valid diagnostic tool and is highly valued for its predictive validity.
With its help, we are able to identified parents who will most likely hesitate to vaccine their child, and thus have the opportunity to work with them in a timely and targeted manner to help encourage their vaccination decision.