ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the attitude and grade of knowledge of the parents of children concerning the vaccination of their children, as well as to know their opinion about a program destine to diminish their anxiety. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The subjects of the study were parents of children of our county that began their immunizations in 1994. The method utilized was realization of a survey with closed questions. The statistical analysis was carried out by means of the R-SIGMA program. RESULTS: There were 115 surveys registered. Of these 71% has adequate knowledge of the illness against which their child had been vaccinated. Anxiety and fear was seen in 60% before beginning the vaccination process, descending to 30% once the process of immunization began. Only 54.5% perceived the vaccination as inoffensive and 66% considered that the illness against which their child was being protected were very grave. The principal secondary effect seen in the children was fever (70.4%). Forty-one percent of those surveyed considered that the illness of the vaccination program were typical of a low socioeconomic class. Only 7% gave an opinion that the vaccine should be voluntary and in 100% of the cases was it considered that it was an advance in medicine. Only 25% of the population surveyed had access to previous information and their attitude was reinforced positively. The data most valued by those surveyed, referring to the vaccination program, was the informative interview previous to the program and the presence of the pediatrician. CONCLUSIONS: The vaccine is considered as something dangerous, but necessary. Better education of the parents, on the part of the sanitary authorities and those responsible of ordering and administering vaccines, would result in a modification in the attitude of the population in regards to vaccinations.
