Childhood Vaccination in Al-Madinah , Saudi Arabia. the Effects of Publicknowledge and Attitudes.

Abstract

Childhood vaccination prevents 2 million deaths per year worldwide and is widely considered to be 'overwhelmingly good' by the scientific community .Immunization prevents illness, disability and death from vaccine-preventable diseases including diphtheria, measles, pertussis, pneumonia, polio, rotavirus diarrhea, rubella and tetanus . Parental decisions regarding immunization are very important for increasing the immunization rate and compliance and for decreasing any possible immunization errors. Parents' knowledge and practices regarding immunization are the major factors that contribute to their vaccination decisions .So this study aimed to increase public awareness and attention about the importance of childhood vaccination and its rule on preventing a serious groups of disease and the risks of non-vaccination . In this study we detected the parents fears,opinions and knoldge regarding vaccine and its possible side effects . also, to identify the causes of un-vaccination in the same population The study population includes all Al-Madinah population, whose ages between (20-60) years old, mothers, fathers and single ones, a random sample of (300) persons were selected, they answered the electronic questionnaire, (55) of them were excluded based on the exclusion criteria, then the sample consisted (245) person . Results of the present study showed that parents in Al-Madinah , Saudi Arabia have had good knowledge and positive attitudes on most of aspects related childhood immunization.The most of participants rise in temperature after taking the vaccination is one of the symptoms that indicate the effectiveness of vaccination and immunity of the child. Scientifically vaccines help develop immunity by imitating an infection the imitation infection can cause minor symptoms, such as fever.