Journal article
Exploring young fathers’ roles and decision-making regarding childhood vaccination in Tajikistan: A focus group study
SSM. Qualitative research in health, v 9, 100669
Jun 2026
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Abstract
Father involvement is an important factor in childhood vaccination. Despite Tajikistan's significant efforts to improve vaccination coverage, vaccine hesitancy persists, with parents exhibiting signs of mistrust towards vaccinations due to misinformation. This study aims to examine how fathers describe their role in their child’s vaccination plans and to explore their beliefs and attitudes regarding childhood vaccinations through thematic analysis of data from seven focus groups. Focus group discussions aimed to understand influences on immunization and potential communication channels, messages, and behavior change goals for future campaigns. Our analysis categorized fathers based on their attitudes towards vaccines (supportive or hesitant) and on their level of engagement in vaccine decisions (active or passive). Fathers in the focus groups reported seeing themselves as protectors, particularly given their cultural role as primary decision-makers for their children’s health. Our findings indicate that, although many fathers are supportive of childhood vaccines, vaccine hesitancy due to misinformation remains a concern. Current gender norms, as well as employment logistics, also pose barriers for fathers to become more involved in their children’s vaccination process. Fathers expressed a desire for more opportunities to learn about health issues in their communities. These insights offer opportunities for public health campaigns to educate and engage fathers as partners in advocating for childhood vaccinations. Future interventions should focus on promoting father involvement, both in terms of attitude and agency, while remaining sensitive to cultural gender norms.
•Fathers’ attitudes toward vaccinations affect their children’s vaccination status.•Vaccine hesitancy remains a concern among fathers in Tajikistan.•Barriers hinder fathers’ involvement in their children’s vaccination process.•Interventions promoting father involvement and education are needed in Tajikistan.
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Details
- Title
- Exploring young fathers’ roles and decision-making regarding childhood vaccination in Tajikistan: A focus group study
- Creators
- Giyoung Lee - Drexel UniversityBrandy Joe Milliron - Drexel University, Health SciencesMutribjon Bahruddinov - UNICEF Tajikistan, Dushanbe, TajikistanAllison K. Groves - Drexel UniversityAnn C. Klassen (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- SSM. Qualitative research in health, v 9, 100669
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- UNICEF Tajikistan
The authors would like to acknowledge all participants for their time and dedication throughout the study. We also thank the Tajikistan Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and its staff, for assisting in study design, data collection, and logistics. Funding for the research was provided by UNICEF Tajikistan, under a long-term agreement for ser-vices with Drexel University.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Urban Health Collaborative; Community Health and Prevention; Health Sciences
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001632311700001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105023307968
- Other Identifier
- 991022133563504721
InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
- Social Sciences, Biomedical