ABSTRACT
Introduction:Immunization is one of the most cost-effective strategies forreducing child mortality. There is a vital need to assess parents’ barriers involvingchild immunization completion to improve and increase vaccination coverage and completeness. Objective:To determine the barriers of child immunization completion among parents in the Community Health Centre of Johor Bahru. Methodology:The Maternal and Child Health Clinic, Jalan Abdul Samadproviding primary immunization wasselected via non-random and convenience sampling. Children between1 month to 2 years old who were immunized were identified. Data were obtained from parents who brought intheir children for primary vaccination at the Maternaland Child Health Clinic, Jalan Abdul Samad Results:The response rate for this study was 100% (n=306). All the eligible parents who were approached by the researchers agreed to participate in this research. Out of all respondents, 3 (1.0%)completely refused the immunization of their child, 23 (7.5%) defaulted with the immunization, and 280 (91.5%) completed the immunization. In terms of perception towards immunization, 60 or 19.6% of the total respondents stated that their preference for alternative treatments is their main reason if theydecide not to have their children vaccinated.After adjusting for socio-demographic differences, the researchers discovered that parents who have significantlylower coverage for all 10 childhood vaccines themselves were less likely to agree that vaccines are necessary to protect the health of children, to believe that their child might get a disease if they aren't vaccinated, or to believe that vaccines are safe.Conclusion:This first systematic evaluation of immunization refusal in Malaysia showed that a small number of parents refused immunization
ABSTRACT
Breast self-examination (BSE) is a most cost-effective screening-tool for early-detection of breast cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate knowledge, beliefs and practices of BSE among teachers. It was a cross-sectional questionnaire survey conducted in Philippine in 2009. A standardized questionnaire was administered among 450 randomly selected different school-level teachers. Responses were 70% of which 50%, 42% and 8% from elementary, secondary and tertiary school-level teachers respectively. Thirty percent teachers were 11-20 years experienced. BSE knowledge on frequency, starting age and techniques varied from 60%-70%. Only 25% and 39% possessed accurate knowledge on BSE timing during regular and irregular menstruation and 45% knew right position for BSE. Believed to do BSE confidently were only 33%, although 65% motivated. Majority respondents were un-believable about breast cancer susceptibility. Of 73% BSE practiced respondents, only 17% and 24% practiced at recommended interval and time. Main reasons for not practicing BSE did not know how to do, report by 82% respondents. Participants’ knowledge, beliefs on BSE were good but practice was low. Planned integrated-educational programs by policy-makers, health care-providers and mass-media are necessary to promote BSE for early detection and management of breast cancer aimed to promote a healthy life.