• Home >
  • Health Library >
  • Compendium of Research >
  • A cross sectional study on the relationship between parental demographics and knowledge on vaccine preventable disease and immunization practices; and the immunization completeness of their children

A cross sectional study on the relationship between parental demographics and knowledge on vaccine preventable disease and immunization practices; and the immunization completeness of their children

Clarisse Marie S. Eugenio MD, Celia C. Carlos. MD

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between parental demographics, parental knowledge on vaccine preventable diseases, vaccines, immunization practices and policies in the Philippines; and their children’s immunization completeness.

Study Design: Cross sectional, prospective, 3 month study

Methodology:This study was conducted among 124 mothers of pediatric patients whose child follows up from April to June 2015 at the Out Patient Department of St. Luke’s Medical Center, a tertiary hospital in Quezon City. A questionnaire detailing children’s immunization was used. Parental demographics, reasons for partial or nonvaccination were enumerated and knowledge scores about immunization were determined and correlated with children’s immunization completeness. Demographic factors associated with immunization status were analyzed using Chi- square test. Reasons for partial vaccination were presented in percentages and proportions. The knowledge on immunizations was scored using Mann Whitney U test.

Results:Children of parents who are living in urban areas, has tertiary level of educational attainment and being married are more likely to have fully vaccinated children. The reasons most commonly cited for partial vaccination include lack of knowledge, missed schedules, lack of time due to busy schedule, accessibility problems, financial problems and vaccines not being available at the time of health visit. Parents obtaining a higher knowledge score about immunizations were more likely to have appropriately vaccinated children.

Conclusion:Children of parents who are living in urban areas, has tertiary level of educational attainment and being married are more likely to have fully vaccinated children. Parental knowledge about immunizations found that both the knowledge and vaccine coverage were directly proportional.

Clinical Impact and Relevance: Immunizing a child significantly reduces costs of treating diseases, thus providing a healthy childhood and reducing poverty and suffering. Clearly, certain sociological factors put children at risk of partial vaccination. Health care providers must practice disseminating practical information at the time of each well child visit. Parents’ good understanding of vaccine preventable diseases, how vaccination works, and the vaccination schedule will lead to children being vaccinated.