The Lived Experiences of Saudi-born Parents Who Have Delayed Vaccines for Their Children Prior to School Age

Parents are historically the decision makers related to vaccinations with infants and children. Over the past few years, healthcare providers have been facing a growing number of parents who are questioning the safety and the need for routine vaccinations. Studies conducted in Saudi Arabia revealed that not all Saudi-born parents support childhood vaccination and eventually delay their children vaccination. Understanding the cultural influences on parents in Saudi Arabia about the adherence to childhood vaccination program is crucial for health and safety of the whole society. The purpose of this study was to explore experiences of Saudi-born parents who have delayed vaccinations for their children prior to school age. Through a Heideggerian hermeneutic interpretive phenomenological method and the lens of caring theory, this research sought to uncover the essence of Saudi-born parents’ lived experiences where they were allowed to speak and provide their perspectives in their own words. Leininger’s Culture Care Diversity and Universality Theory was used as the theoretical framework guiding this study. Leininger’s Sunrise Enabler-Model provided a framework for assessing the sociocultural aspects of Saudi-born parents that may have influence the vaccine delays for their children. The nine participants provided a rich and thick description of the phenomenon in this study from which three essential themes emerged. The three essential themes were: 1) struggling with barriers, 2) seeking vaccine information (Formal and Informal) and their influence on participants’ decision, and 3) hesitating to vaccinate. Study findings explored cultural factors such as knowledge, access to healthcare centers, work responsibilities, and social media that influenced vaccinating children prior to school in Saudi Arabia. Greater understanding of delays in child vaccination by Saudiborn parents equips nurses in addressing cultural perspectives to reduce communicable diseases amongst children.