Knowledge, experience, and willingness to vaccinate against intestinal parasitic infections: A multi-country study in Asia

Wong LP 1 , Lee HY 2 , Alias H 3 , Lachyan A 4 , Nguyen DK 5 , Seheli FN 6 Show all authors , Ahmed J 7 , Hu Z 8 , Lin Y 9

Affiliations 

  • 1 Centre for Population Health (CePH), Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; Fujian Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Cancer, Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: wonglp@ummc.edu.my
  • 2 Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Educational Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia. Electronic address: leehaiyen@um.edu.my
  • 3 Centre for Population Health (CePH), Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
  • 4 Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital - VMMCSH, New Delhi 110029, India
  • 5 Department of Academic Affairs and Testing, Dong Nai Technology University, Dong Nai, Vietnam
  • 6 BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
  • 7 Department of Community Medicine, Rashid Latif Khan University (RLKU) Medical College, 28-KM, Ferozepur Road, Suey Asal, Lahore, Pakistan
  • 8 Fujian Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Cancer, Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
  • 9 Fujian Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Cancer, Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China. Electronic address: yulanlin@fjmu.edu.cn
J Infect Public Health, 2025 Jan 30;18(4):102689.
PMID: 39946975 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102689

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) remain a significant public health challenge and a neglected disease in many parts of Asia, contributing to morbidity and mortality, particularly in vulnerable populations. Despite the potential of vaccines to reduce the burden of these neglected IPIs, little is known about the public's willingness to be vaccinated against these infections.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the general population's knowledge, symptom experiences, and willingness to vaccinate against IPIs across six countries: Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, and China.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between June and December 2023 across six countries in Asia region. Participants completed a self-administered online questionnaire that assessed demographic information, knowledge of IPIs, symptom experiences, and willingness to receive a vaccine against IPIs for themselves and their children. Univariate and multivariable logistic analyses were performed to determine the factors related to vaccination the willingness.

RESULTS: A total of 5470 complete responses were received. The highest proportion of individuals willing to receive the vaccine was in India (86.1 %), followed by China (80.8 %) and Pakistan (75 %), with Vietnam having the lowest proportion at 50.1 %. For child vaccination, China had the highest willingness (83.3 %). A higher knowledge score was significantly associated with increased willingness to be vaccinated [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)= 1.91, 95 % CI: 1.70-2.15]. Additionally, a higher symptom experience score was significantly associated with greater vaccination willingness (aOR=1.71, 95 % CI: 1.50-1.94). Females residing in urban-suburban areas showed significantly higher vaccination intentions. The willingness to vaccinate children against IPIs closely mirrored the trends observed in self-vaccination willingness, with knowledge being the only factor significantly associated with the willingness to vaccinate children.

CONCLUSION: The study underscores the importance of enhancing educational efforts regarding neglected IPIs and vaccination, particularly when vaccines are available and recommended.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Similar publications