Parental perception and attitude on childhood immunization and other government healthcare programs after the Dengue vaccine controversy: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

@#<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> The dengue vaccine controversy in the Philippines caused significant public anxiety affecting childhood vaccines, as well as other healthcare programs. An assessment of parental perception and attitude on childhood immunization and other government healthcare programs after the dengue vaccine controversy is lacking</p><p><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To determine the perception and attitude of parents on childhood immunization and other government health care programs after the dengue vaccine controversy at a tertiary pediatric hospital.</p><p><strong>METHODOLOGY:</strong> A hospital-based cross-sectional survey was done at a tertiary pediatric hospital. A total of 96 subjects participated in the study. Parents with children ages 9 to 18 years old whose child was either vaccinated or non-vaccinated with dengue vaccine seen in the dengue clinic, outpatient department and private clinics were invited to answer the structured questionnaire. Proportional stratified sampling was employed. Mann Whitney U-test compared the perception and attitude scores between parents of children who were recipients and non-recipients of dengue vaccine. A p-value of</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> The overall perception and attitude of parents on childhood immunization, deworming and vitamin A supplementation did not differ significantly between parents of non-dengue vaccinated children and dengue-vaccinated children. Sociodemographic factors such as gender, marital status, educational attainment, employment, and economic status did not differ significantly in their perception and attitude in terms of childhood immunization, deworming and vitamin A supplementation.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSIONS:</strong> The overall perception and attitude of parents in both groups showed no significant difference toward childhood immunization, deworming and vitamin A supplementation. There is no association with the overall perception and attitude of parents on childhood immunization, deworming and vitamin A supplementation and their sociodemographic factors. RECOMMENDATIONS: Future similar studies may be conducted in other regions to determine parental perception and attitude towards the government's immunization program and other health care programs.</p>

Adherence towards Different Vaccines of Childhood Immunization of Under Five Year Old Children

Introduction: Adherence towards childhood immunization (completeness and timeliness), with consideration of age-dependent-seroconversion, is the basis for children protection. Despite high global and national immunization coverage, vaccine preventable diseases’ are rising. This study aimed to determine adherence (completeness and timeliness) towards different vaccines of childhood immunization and associated factors among mothers of under five children. Methods: Cross-sectional study design was conducted at a health clinic in Seremban. Total of 320 mothers of under five children attending child health clinic selected via systematic random sampling. Data collection was via validated self-administered questionnaires and proforma, analysed using SPSS version 22. Associations between categorical variables determined by chi-square tests. Results: Consented respondents were 314; resulting in response rate of 98.1%. Adherence (completeness) was 98.09% but only 56.5% - 97.1% of respondents adhered in terms of timeliness. Types of transportation was significantly associated with adherence (completeness), p=0.041. Employment status was significantly associated with adherence (timeliness) towards BCG (p=0.008), Hepatitis B dose one (p=0.018) and dose two (p=0.040) vaccines. Education level was significantly associated with adherence (timeliness) towards DTaP/IPV/HiB dose four (p=0.019). Maternal age and usage of government clinic were significantly associated with adherence (timeliness) of MMR dose one, p=0.030 and p=0.017 respectively. Conclusion: Adherence (completeness) was high but varying adherence towards vaccine timeliness. Transportation types associated with completeness. Employment status associated with BCG, first and second doses of Hepatitis B vaccines’ timeliness. Education level associated with fourth dose of DTaP/IPV/HiB. Maternal age and usage of government clinic associated with timeliness of first dose MMR.

Inadequate Health Literacy on Childhood Immunization and Its Predictors among Antenatal Mothers

Introduction: Outbreak of vaccine preventable disease still persists despite good coverage of immunization in Malaysia. Health literacy on childhood immunization is one of essential factor for the outbreak to happen. Thus, this study determined the predictors of health literacy on childhood immunization among antenatal mother in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among 424 antenatal women using a cluster sampling approach. Antenatal women who were Malaysian and not illiterate were chosen in this study. A self-administered, validated and pretested questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, socio economic, awareness on immunization, utilization of health care services and health literacy on childhood immunization. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Chi Square test was used in bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of inadequate health literacy on childhood immunization. Result: Out of 362 respondents, 81.2% were inadequate health literacy. The predictors were maternal education (AOR= 2.608, 95% CI 1.477-4.604), parity (AOR= 1.067, 95% CI 1.103-3.876), residential area (AOR= 2.344, 95% CI 1.184-4.641) and utilization of government hospital (AOR= 2.344, 95% CI 1.184-4.641). Conclusion: Accessibility of health education with regard to immunization need to be strengthen among primigravida, low education and those staying in rural area. In addition, health education also needs to emphasize on the individual that is employed and low economic status with underutilization of government hospital. A simplified education material with interesting pictures and using visual aids help illiterate people for better understanding.

Timeliness and Out-of-Sequence Vaccination among Young Children in Burkina Faso – Analysis of Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) Data.

Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the timeliness and out-of-sequence vaccination among children aged less than five years through the data of a local Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in Burkina Faso. Study Design: Cross-sectional study nested into an existing HDSS. Place and Duration of Study: Nouna Health District in north-western Burkina Faso, over the period of September 2008 to December 2009. Methodology: We used data of 7,644 children born between September 2003 and March 2009. Vaccination data were provided on the basis of events recorded on vaccination cards. We assessed vaccination timeliness and the frequency of out-of-sequence vaccination. Results: The highest rates of timely administration were observed with vaccines recommended at birth (e.g. 68% for BCG) while the lowest rates were observed with vaccines given in late infancy (e.g. 33% for measles). The frequency of out-of-sequence vaccination between BCG and DTP/Penta 1 or between DTP/Penta 3 and measles were respectively around 5% and 4%. Out-of-sequence vaccination in early infancy occurred significantly more frequent in rural compared to urban areas contrary to out-of-sequence vaccination in late infancy. Both, timely and correct sequencing of vaccination have significantly improved in recent years in the study area. Conclusions: This study supports that significant vaccination delay occurs in SSA communities with high vaccination coverage and that the frequency of out-of-sequence vaccinations varies substantially between countries.