RESUMEN
Background: Parental decisions regarding vaccination are very vital for increasing the vaccination rate and parent compliance to the immunization schedule. Worldwide studies show that besides other factors, parental knowledge and beliefs have major influence on starting and continuing of child vaccination
Objective: The study aim to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of the parents regarding child vaccinations in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia
Methods: A cross-sectional community based study carried out during the period from 1st January to 30th July 2018. A systematic random sampling technique was used; 367 participants was included. Data collected using a pre-designed online questionnaire distributed among parents of children and adolescents to be self-administered
Results: the majority [40.1%] of children aged less than 6 years old, 58.9% were males, fathers' education was university or more in 47.7% of participants and mothers' education was secondary school 75.5%. Most [88.3%] of parents were sure that the vaccinations are important for their children, 68.4% think vaccination reduces the probability of death or illness of a child, 85.6% think that vaccinations reduces the number of infectious diseases, 89.6% think that the vaccinations have a role in the child health, 6.8% were aware that some vaccinations are accompanied with side effects such as fever and 83.1% were aware that even healthy child needs vaccination. 70.1% of parents gave their child all mandatory vaccines, 77.9% follow the child's compulsory immunization, 76.6% of parents feel secure after vaccination of their children
Conclusion: knowledge and acceptance of childhood vaccinations, perceptions of vaccine-related health benefits is good among parents in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia