Mothers’ Perceptions of Childhood Vaccination Barriers in Rural Communities of Pakistan: A Comprehensive Qualitative Study

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Published: 2026-04-15
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61919/k0mn0218
Keywords:
vaccination, qualitative research, maternal perceptions, rural Pakistan, immunization barriers, health systems.

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Sibghat Ullah
Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan
Dua Tahir
Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences, Quetta, Pakistan
Iqra Tahir
Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences, Quetta, Pakistan
Mehak Wasif
Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan
Zulfiqar Ali
S. Tentishev Asian Medical Institute, Kyrgyzstan
Javairia Saleh
Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Childhood immunization remains suboptimal in rural Pakistan despite established national programs. Sociocultural norms, gender dynamics, and health system constraints contribute to missed or delayed vaccination. Qualitative evidence is needed to understand maternal perspectives and decision-making processes. Objective: To explore mothers’ perceptions of childhood vaccination and identify sociocultural, behavioral, and health system barriers influencing immunization uptake in rural Pakistan Methods: A qualitative interpretative endline study was conducted in rural districts of Punjab and Sindh. Data were collected through in-depth interviews (n=30) and focus group discussions (n=5) with mothers of children under five years. Interviews were conducted in local languages, audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Six major themes emerged: knowledge gaps and misconceptions; sociocultural and community influences; gendered decision-making and limited maternal autonomy; accessibility and health system barriers; trust and communication with healthcare providers; and fear of side effects. Vaccination behavior was shaped by interacting factors rather than isolated barriers. While most mothers expressed acceptance of vaccination, constraints related to mobility, service availability, and household decision-making led to delays, partial uptake, or missed vaccinations. Conclusion: Vaccination barriers in rural Pakistan are multidimensional and context-dependent. Interventions should prioritize community engagement, improved service delivery, male involvement, and strengthened provider communication to enhance immunization uptake.

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 7 (2026)

Section

Review Articles
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

1.
Sibghat Ullah, Dua Tahir, Iqra Tahir, Mehak Wasif, Zulfiqar Ali, Javairia Saleh. Mothers’ Perceptions of Childhood Vaccination Barriers in Rural Communities of Pakistan: A Comprehensive Qualitative Study. JHWCR [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 15 [cited 2026 Apr. 22];4(7):1-10. Available from: https://jhwcr.com/index.php/jhwcr/article/view/1484

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