Determinants of knowledge attitudes and perceptions regarding vaccination in a rural community of Pune India

Vaccination is a key preventive measure against infectious diseases, yet hesitancy persists due to religious, scientific, and political concerns. Understanding knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) toward vaccination and their demographic determinants is essential for developing effective interventions. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural population using a pretested structured questionnaire. Data were collected from 423 participants through household visits, and analyses were performed in SPSS version 24 using Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. A total of 423 participants were included in the study. Overall, 79.4% demonstrated good knowledge, 60.3% exhibited a positive attitude, and 76.6% showed good perception toward vaccination. Awareness was highest for polio (87.5%) and BCG (69.3%) vaccines, while healthcare workers (63.1%) and family or friends (92.7%) were the most common sources of vaccination-related information. Knowledge levels were significantly associated with age ( p < 0.001), gender ( p = 0.021), marital status ( p < 0.001), parenting status ( p < 0.001), and education level ( p < 0.001). Perception scores differ by age ( p < 0.001), gender ( p = 0.019), marital status ( p = 0.025), parenting status ( p < 0.001), and education level ( p < 0.001). The study demonstrate that vaccination-related knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions vary significantly across demographic subgroups in rural populations. Age, gender, marital status, parenting status, and educational attainment emerged as key determinants of knowledge and perception toward vaccination. The aim of this study was to underscore the importance of targeted, demographic-specific educational strategies to enhance vaccine awareness and acceptance in rural communities.