KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF URBAN AND RURAL MOTHER IN AL MUKALLA CITY ABOUT VACCINATION, 2023

Vaccination is a critical public health strategy for preventing infectious diseases in children, yet vaccine hesitancy remains a significant challenge, particularly among mothers who influence their children's health decisions. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of mothers in urban and rural areas of Al-Mukalla, Yemen, regarding childhood vaccinations. A total of 581 women with at least one child under five participated, with data collected on their knowledge, sources of information, and attitudes towards vaccination. Results indicated that urban mothers had a higher level of awareness regarding the importance of vaccination compared to their rural counterparts, with 76% of rural mothers lacking knowledge about its significance. Urban mothers primarily relied on media (71%) and doctors (56%) as information sources, while rural mothers depended more on societal channels. Moreover, urban mothers demonstrated a more positive attitude towards vaccination, in contrast to the skepticism observed among rural mothers, influenced by cultural beliefs and misinformation. The findings highlight a critical need for targeted educational interventions to address knowledge gaps and enhance vaccine uptake, particularly in rural communities, ultimately aiming to improve child health outcomes in the region.