Childhood Vaccination Views Across Genders: What Do Mothers and Fathers Really Think?

Authors

  • Nur Hidayahtul Nabihah Manas Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) Pahang Branch, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Mohd Rozaimy Ridzuan Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Branch, Raub Campus, 27600 Raub, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Noor Amira Syazwani Abd Rahman Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Branch, Raub Campus, 27600 Raub, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Muhammad Redzuan Osman Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) Pahang Branch, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Muhammad Iqbal M. Pd Malikussaleh University, Cot Tengku Nie Reuleut, Muara Batu, North Aceh, Aceh Province, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/jas.v22i2.7966

Keywords:

Immunisation, Childhood Vaccination , Parental Attitudes , Gender Differences , Gender Schema Theory , Malaysia

Abstract

Childhood vaccination is a crucial public health endeavour aimed at preventing infectious illnesses and decreasing child mortality. Although vaccine uptake in Malaysia is generally high, disparities may occur among different demographic groups, including gender. This study evaluates parental views regarding childhood vaccination in Pahang, Malaysia, and assesses whether these attitudes significantly differ between male and female parents. The target population comprised parents who have at least one child under 15 years of age. A quantitative cross-sectional design was utilised, involving 333 parents from Pahang. Data were gathered via a structured questionnaire assessing views regarding childhood vaccination. Descriptive statistics and an independent samples t-test were performed to assess attitudes and gender differences, respectively. The independent t-test revealed a statistically significant disparity between male and female parents, with female parents exhibiting more favourable attitudes toward childhood vaccination. The findings highlight the significance of gender in influencing parental perspectives on immunisation. This study advances the application of Gender Schema Theory in public health research and highlights the need for gender-sensitive strategies to improve vaccine acceptance, particularly among male parents

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Published

2025-10-30

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Manas, N. H. N. ., Ridzuan, M. R. ., Abd Rahman, N. A. S. ., Osman, M. R. ., & M. Pd, M. I. . (2025). Childhood Vaccination Views Across Genders: What Do Mothers and Fathers Really Think? . Journal of Administrative Science, 22(2), 386–409. https://doi.org/10.24191/jas.v22i2.7966

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Vol. 22 No. 2 (2025): Volume 22, Issue 2, October 2025

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Copyright (c) 2025 Nur Hidayahtul Nabihah Manas, Mohd Rozaimy Ridzuan, Noor Amira Syazwani Abd Rahman, Muhammad Redzuan Osman, Muhammad Iqbal M. Pd

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.