Factors Associated with Decisions of Arab Minority Parents in Israel to Vaccinate Their Children against COVID-19

Abstract

The Arab ethnic community in Israel is characterized by low social economic status and is at risk due to the typically crowded households. Understanding parents' level of awareness is important to avoid new outbreaks.

Objectives: This study seeks to identify predicting factors associated with perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination.

Materials and methods: A survey was conducted through social media, using snowball sampling via social networks. Additionally, t-tests, Chi-square tests, and Z tests were used to evaluate differences between independent proportions. Pearson correlations were calculated for the study variables. Multiple logistic regression examined the extent to which the background variables were related to the intention to vaccinate the child.

Results: A total of 2843 Arab parents participated in the study. Older parents, higher socioeconomic status, higher trust in the authorities, vaccinated parents, and low psychological and physical barriers were positively correlated with willingness to vaccinate children. Pandemic fatigue was associated with less positive attitudes and reduced perceived effectiveness toward vaccination.

Conclusion: Addressing minorities' poor standards of living and physical and psychological barriers posed by the authorities to minorities' access to vaccination may increase compliance with COVID-19 vaccination and protect the health of the entire population.

Keywords: Arab children; COVID-19 vaccine; Israel; minority; parents’ intention.

Figure 1

Demographic data of participants. Percent of each sector from total number of participants.

Figure 2

Process model for the indirect effect between pandemic fatigue and the intention to vaccinate the child/ren. Note: Values on arrows: B(SE), values within rectangles: R², C’ = direct effect. *** p < 0.001.