Examining the Relationship Between Health Literacy and Vaccine Hesitancy: The Case of Prospective Science Teachers

Yozkat G., Gürkan G., KAHRAMAN S.

Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/15398285.2026.2613197
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, CINAHL, Information Science and Technology Abstracts, Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA), Public Affairs Index
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Health literacy, prospective science teachers, vaccine hesitancy
  • İnönü Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Vaccine hesitancy refers to the reluctance or refusal to get vaccinated. This can be influenced by various factors, including concerns about vaccine safety, distrust of healthcare systems, misinformation circulating on social media, cultural beliefs, and inadequate health literacy. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is any relationship between vaccine hesitancy and health literacy of prospective science teachers. The sample of the study consists of 165 students studying at the faculty of education of a state university. It was observed that there was a low-level negative relationship between health literacy and vaccine hesitancy. The study shows that higher health literacy reduces vaccine hesitancy. Since teachers have responsibilities in improving the health literacy levels of society, the health literacy levels of teacher candidates need to be increased.