Nurses' Opinions about Childhood Anti-Vaccination, Roles and Responsibilities in Preventing Anti-Vaccination Attitudes in Society

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the opinions of nurses on childhood anti-vaccination and their roles and responsibilities in the prevention of anti-vaccination in society.Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2020 and August 2020. The sample of the study consisted of 199 nurses working in a university hospital. After obtaining the necessary permission the data were collected with an introductory information form and a questionnaire on views on childhood anti-vaccination, roles, and responsibilities regarding prevention of anti-vaccination in society, prepared by the researchers. Descriptive statistical analyzes were used in the assessment of the data.Results: In this study, 80.9% of the nurses found childhood vaccination necessary; 19.1% reported hesitations about vaccination. The reasons perceived by the nurses regarding anti-vaccination, in society included that 58.3% of the individuals thought that the vaccine had side effects and was unsafety of vaccines followed by a rate of 42.7%. The opinions were determined about roles and responsibilities of nurses in preventing anti-vaccination attitudes and in raising awareness, in society; to inform parents by training, counseling, and being a role model, raising awareness through social media, congresses, symposiums and public service ads, conducting evidence-based studies and following scientific publications.Conclusion: It is recommended to develop policies for the prevention of childhood anti-vaccination, to increase awareness of nurses about the issue through in-service trainings and scientific activities, and to take an active role in preventing anti-vaccination.