Parental vaccine knowledge and behaviours: a survey of Turkish families

Abstract

Background Personal and herd immunity require durability in high vaccination coverage rates, and this mainly depends on the interaction between parental and service/provider factors. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess Turkish parents' knowledge and behaviours concerning childhood vaccination and their association with familial sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, including a questionnaire, was conducted with parents of children aged between 1 day and 120 months. Results: Of the 903 index children, 881 (97.6%) were up to date for all vaccinations by age. Demographic variables were not related to belief in protection through vaccination or rejection of obligatory vaccines. Mean age, education level, occupation of mother (P = 0.006, P < 0.001, and P = 0.01, respectively) and father (P = 0.002, P < 0.001, and P = 0.006, respectively), average monthly household income (P < 0.001), and experience of vaccine side-effects (P = 0.02) were associated with knowledge about optional childhood vaccines. Father's education level was independently associated with knowledge about optional childhood vaccines. Conclusions: Having any experience of vaccine side-effects and parental sociodemographic characteristics, especially father's education level, affect Turkish parents' knowledge of childhood optional vaccines.

Parents’ knowledge, attitude and practice towards children’s vaccination in Lebanon: role of the parent-physician communication

“…Our results showed that having an intermediate monthly income was accompanied with less knowledge when compared to low income. This contradicts other studies [ 31 , 42 ] that concluded that having a higher income provides more access to health care providers and physicians and more information about vaccines. This might be because families with higher income have access to good health care and feel secure and assured by offered vaccination programs without further investigation about the topic.…”

Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in West Papua, Indonesia

“…We found that education level, knowledge, and fear were the main predictive factors for vaccine acceptance. This is in accordance with several previous studies [8], [9] which states that the level of education and knowledge is one of the most important factors in determining someone to receive the vaccine.…”

Parent’s Knowledge on Rotavirus Diarrhea and Vaccine in Indonesia

“…Previous studies have shown that higher education level significantly influences knowledge to conduct and receive better immunizations [16]. Also, father's knowledge increases with education level [17]. Expenditures per month as well as income per month were also important; since those with higher income will have higher knowledge [18].…”

“…Rotavirus vaccination which can only be received in certain places makes a person to consider the benefits and risks. Previous experience of the sideeffects of a vaccine can also be related to knowledge about vaccines, where by experiencing the side-effects, parents will be more alert and eager to learn more about the vaccine [17]. Comparing sources of information from health workers and the mass media indicates that the information from health workers is considered to be truer.…”