Breaking barriers: a qualitative study on polio vaccine hesitancy in Herat Province, Afghanistan

Polio vaccination faces persistent challenges in Afghanistan due to socio-cultural barriers, distrust in healthcare systems, and ongoing conflicts, making it crucial to address vaccine hesitancy for successful eradication efforts.. Therefore, this study was designed to explain the reasons for families in Herat Province, Afghanistan, not receiving the polio vaccine.

This qualitative study was conducted in 2023 in Herat Province, Afghanistan. In this study, 22 families who refused vaccination were interviewed until data saturation was achieved. To ensure representativeness, participants were purposefully selected to capture demographic diversity in age, economic status, educational background, number of children, and occupation, providing a comprehensive view of factors influencing vaccine hesitancy across different segments of the population Data analysis was conducted using MAXQDA 2022 software with conventional content analysis.

Participants ranged from 25 to50 years old, most had less than high school education, and many were self-employed. Main themes from the data included: stereotypical beliefs, cultural barriers, government inadequacies, and vaccine-related concerns, with nine subcategories.

To enhance vaccine acceptance, community-based communication strategies involving trusted local leaders, such as religious and tribal figures, could be instrumental in building public trust. Campaigns tailored to address specific misconceptions-using simple language and culturally sensitive approaches-would likely resonate more with hesitant populations. Additionally, establishing transparent channels for reporting vaccine safety and efficacy may help to dispel myths and increase confidence in immunization programs.