A Study To Assess The Awareness And Attitude Toward Vaccination Programs Among Urban Residents Of Vadodara, Gujarat

Abstract

Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health, yet awareness and attitudes among urban populations remain inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward vaccination among urban residents of Vadodara, Gujarat, and to explore the relationship between knowledge and attitude. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, involving 120 participants selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured and validated questionnaire and analysed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics revealed that the mean knowledge score was 5.34 (SD = 2.48), and the mean attitude score was 16.80 (SD = 4.41). Although 83.3% of participants reported prior exposure to vaccination information—primarily through media—only 23.3% demonstrated good knowledge, and 30% were categorised as aware. Attitudes were generally positive, with 62.5% showing strong support for vaccination. However, a significant negative correlation (r = –0.463, p < 0.01) was observed between knowledge and attitude, suggesting that higher knowledge did not necessarily translate into more favourable attitudes. Furthermore, no significant association was found between knowledge levels and socio-demographic variables such as age, gender, or family type. The study concludes that while trust in vaccination exists, substantial gaps in factual understanding persist, highlighting the need for targeted, evidence-based educational strategies to strengthen vaccine literacy and reduce hesitancy in urban communities.