Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Parents toward Vaccination of Children Under Six Years in Aden, Yemen

Abstract

Background: Vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a growing public health concern globally, particularly in low-resource and conflict-affected settings such as Yemen. Caregivers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) play a crucial role in childhood immunization uptake. Objective: This case report aimed to present a case of uterine perforation and bowel prolapse following an unsafe induced abortion.

Objective: This study aimed to assess caregivers’ KAP toward routine childhood vaccination in Aden, Yemen, and identify barriers influencing vaccination decisions. 

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in six districts of Aden from April 23 to May 20, 2025. A total of 277 participants were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a validated, structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between variables. 

Results: Of the 277 participants, 88.45% reported vaccinating their children. Higher educational level (p = 0.034) and better knowledge of vaccine-related symptoms (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with vaccination uptake. No significant association was found between caregiver age and vaccination status (p = 0.433). Fever (40.2%) was the most common post-vaccination symptom. While most caregivers did not report specific barriers, fear of unfamiliar vaccination campaigns was the most cited concern.   

Conclusion: the findings highlight a strong link between caregivers' education and knowledge with vaccine acceptance. Addressing misinformation and promoting community-specific education are critical to improving immunization rates in Aden.