Knowledge, attitude and practice towards immunizations among mothers in a traditional city in the United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACT

The United Arab Emirates [UAE] has a high coverage of childhood immunizations, but since coverage highly depends on the knowledge and attitude of mothers, it is important to assess these in a rapidly developing and changing society. The survey enrolled 217 women attending maternity clinics in Al Ain, a traditional desert city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE and estimated the prevalence of a positive attitude towards immunizations. Knowledge and attitude variables as well as factors related to these variables were explored. Having a positive attitude towards immunizations was prevalent in 93% of mothers. Three factors significantly related to a positive attitude arose knowledge, education and Arab nationality. Three factors associated with knowledge also arose education, receipt of information on immunizations from health professionals and, again, Arab nationality. Despite the currently highly prevalent positive attitude towards immunizations in the United Arab Emirates, information by health professionals should focus more on parents with lower education and those of non- Arab nationality