Exploratory assessment of the parent attitudes about childhood vaccines survey tool to assess vaccine hesitancy and pet vaccination status among pet owners

Abstract

Objective: To assess the applicability of the parent attitudes about childhood vaccines (PACV) survey to pet owners and its association with vaccine hesitancy.

Methods: A national survey including an adapted version of the PACV was administered to 2,853 dog and 1,977 cat owners. Respondents were queried about the vaccination status of their pets. Exploratory factor analysis, Mokken scale analysis, Cronbach α, McDonald ω, and bivariate analyses were used to assess the validity and reliability of the PACV and shortened versions. The Fisher exact test and linear probability models were used to assess the association between the PACV and other factors and vaccination status.

Results: The PACVs for pet owners were valid and reliable with high internal consistency and served as correlates for vaccination status. In multivariate analyses, long-term relationships with veterinarians were also associated with vaccination. Individual survey items indicated substantial concerns about vaccine safety, side effects, and efficacy. Most respondents indicated trust and good relationships with their veterinarian, had not avoided or delayed vaccinations, understood the severity of pet diseases, supported the recommended vaccine schedule, and did not self-identify as vaccine hesitant (VH). The PACV identified 21.7% of dogs and 25.9% of cat owners as VH.

Conclusions: The full and the reduced versions of the PACV are valid and reliable tools to assess VH status in dog and cat owners.

Clinical relevance: The PACV could serve as an important tool for veterinary researchers to identify factors associated with vaccine hesitancy and develop effective interventions.

Keywords: cats; dogs; parent attitudes about childhood vaccines (PACV); vaccine hesitancy; vaccines.