DOI: 10.35345/johmal.1908101 ISSN: 2667-5838

Could e-health literacy and vaccine literacy help reduce vaccine hesitancy?

Perver Ağırman, Emine Çetin
This study aims to reveal the relationship between e-health literacy, vaccine literacy, and vaccine hesitancy. Method: This research is a cross-sectional survey study. The survey form consists of demographic characteristics, the e-health literacy scale, the vaccine literacy scale, and the vaccination hesitancy scale. The research was conducted on undergraduate students studying at public universities in İzmir, Türkiye, and participants were selected using a convenience sampling method. 389 valid questionnaires were obtained. The validity of the scales was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis, and their reliability and internal consistency were assessed using Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. The relationship between the scales and their sub-dimensions was examined using correlation and regression analysis. Results: It’s found that e-health literacy positively influences vaccine literacy and its two sub-dimensions. And e-health literacy increases the benefit and protective value of the vaccine, which is a sub-dimension of vaccine hesitance. Vaccine Literacy decreases vaccine hesitance, and its sub-dimensions, vaccine repugnance, and legitimization of vaccine hesitancy (p