Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination among adolescents in Western Mexico: the role of family influence and access barriers
- 1Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Instituto de Investigación en Enfermedades, Crónico-Degenerativas
- 2Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Ciencias Sociales
Abstract
Background and purpose: COVID-19 vaccination remains an important public health strategy. Adolescents represent approximately 16% of the global population (1.3 billion), making their vaccine uptake a critical component of pandemic control. This study aimed to identify the factors and barriers influencing COVID-19 vaccination behaviors among adolescents in western Mexico.
Methods: A non-experimental, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in high school students aged 15–17 years. Data were collected through an online Google Forms questionnaire. Statistical analysis included chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests and binary logistic regression to evaluate factors associated with vaccination behavior.
Results: A total of 838 adolescents were included, of whom 83% received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Sociodemographic characteristics including age, sex, and religion, were not significantly associated with vaccination attitudes. In contrast, parental influence, particularly maternal attitudes and vaccination behaviors, showed a stronger association with adolescent vaccination status than paternal attitudes. Additionally, parental refusal, family dynamics, and structural accessibility barriers had a greater influence on vaccine hesitancy than concerns regarding vaccine safety or effectiveness among adolescents in western Mexico.
Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for public health strategies that address access barriers and family-centered approaches when evaluating adolescent vaccination behaviors. Interventions focused solely on correcting misinformation are unlikely to be sufficient without addressing these broader factors.
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BibTeX
@article{silvamagana2026factors,
title = {{Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination among adolescents in Western Mexico: the role of family influence and access barriers}},
author = {Alma Karen Silva-Magana and Adriana María Salazar-Montes and Laura Verónica Sánchez-Orozco and Belinda Vargas-Guerrero and Rocío Preciado-González and Irene Córdova-Jiménez and Carmen Magdalena Gurrola-Díaz},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1844561},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1844561/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination among adolescents in Western Mexico: the role of family influence and access barriers
AU - Alma Karen Silva-Magana
AU - Adriana María Salazar-Montes
AU - Laura Verónica Sánchez-Orozco
AU - Belinda Vargas-Guerrero
AU - Rocío Preciado-González
AU - Irene Córdova-Jiménez
AU - Carmen Magdalena Gurrola-Díaz
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/04
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1844561
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1844561/full
AB - Background and purpose: COVID-19 vaccination remains an important public health strategy. Adolescents represent approximately 16% of the global population (1.3 billion), making their vaccine uptake a critical component of pandemic control. This study aimed to identify the factors and barriers influencing COVID-19 vaccination behaviors among adolescents in western Mexico. Methods: A non-experimental, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in high school students aged 15–17 years. Data were collected through an online Google Forms questionnaire. Statistical analysis included chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests and binary logistic regression to evaluate factors associated with vaccination behavior. Results: A total of 838 adolescents were included, of whom 83% received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Sociodemographic characteristics including age, sex, and religion, were not significantly associated with vaccination attitudes. In contrast, parental influence, particularly maternal attitudes and vaccination behaviors, showed a stronger association with adolescent vaccination status than paternal attitudes. Additionally, parental refusal, family dynamics, and structural accessibility barriers had a greater influence on vaccine hesitancy than concerns regarding vaccine safety or effectiveness among adolescents in western Mexico. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for public health strategies that address access barriers and family-centered approaches when evaluating adolescent vaccination behaviors. Interventions focused solely on correcting misinformation are unlikely to be sufficient without addressing these broader factors.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -