Determinants of Vaccine Hesitancy among Parents in Rural Communities of the Greater Upper Nile Region, South Sudan

This study investigates the underlying factors contributing to vaccine reluctance among parents in rural communities within South Sudan's Greater Upper Nile Region, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 3, which emphasizes reducing child mortality through expanded immunization coverage.Despite global advancements, vaccine hesitancy persists in under-resourced settings.A cross-sectional study involving 375 parents or caregivers across Bor South, Malakal, and Rubkona counties employed a mixed-methods approach, combining structured surveys, desk reviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with 24 participants, and in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 12 healthcare providers.The research examined key determinants of hesitancy, including socio-economic status, cultural beliefs, knowledge gaps, and the influence of healthcare providers.Findings showed that 69.9% of children were fully vaccinated, while 30.1% were partially or entirely unvaccinated, with primary barriers being financial constraints (74.7%), transportation difficulties (51.7%), and long distances to health facilities (47.7%).Concerns about vaccine safety (86.4%) and lack of awareness (42.1%) also played a significant role.Encouragingly, 96.2% of respondents expressed openness to new vaccines, and 82.7% indicated that support or incentives would improve uptake.In conclusion, while vaccine acceptance is generally high, systemic and informational challenges hinder full coverage, underscoring the need for culturally sensitive, community-based interventions to enhance immunization rates among children in the region.