Knowledge, Attitude and Beliefs of Caregivers of Children below 2 Years of Age towards Immunization

Abstract

Aim: To determine the knowledge, attitude and beliefs of children below 2 years' caregivers towards immunization in an Egyptian community, to detect of the underlying causes of vaccination delay, and to determine their satisfaction regarding aspects of care. Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out on caregivers attending immunization setting in 5 urban and rural health facilities in Mansoura district, Egypt. They fill the questionnaire that asks about, Socio-demographic characteristics and different factors related to their attitude towards immunization. Results: The study included 1000 caregiver in the study. We found that no caregiver refused to immunize his children and 10% only delayed their immunization which was mainly due to deficient information about the importance of vaccination. Caregivers who delayed vaccines compared with caregivers who regularly vaccinated their children were less likely to believe that vaccines are necessary to protect the health of children (91% vs. 99.3%, p<0.001), that their child might get a disease if they aren’t vaccinated(72% vs.83.3%, p<0.001), to read and watch stories about health (93% vs.100%, p<0.001), to agree with the statement, “vaccines are safe” (85% vs. 100%, p<0.001), to believe that they had a good relationship with their child’s health-care provider, (85% vs. 100%, p<0.001). At the same time, they reported lower satisfaction regarding different aspects of care except for insurances of proper vaccine administration. Conclusion: Vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions. Uptake of vaccination services is dependent not only on the quality of these services but also on other factors including knowledge and attitude of the parents. In this study we found that no one refused to immunize his children and the frequency of delayed vaccination was 10%. This delay was mainly due to insufficient information about the importance of vaccination, child illness, negative knowledge about the vaccines and vaccine deficiency. Health education programs is needed to explain different vaccines related worry together with improving different aspects of care that enhances caregivers satisfaction.