Knowledge, attitude and practice study on immunization among caregivers of children under 5 years
Maha Abdulredha Muhsen
Background: Immunization is a medical intervention that stimulates the development of the body's immune system in humans by using vaccinations. Its purpose is to avoid infectious illnesses. Administering the proper vaccination to the children will substantially reduce the expenses associated with treating diseases and the incidence of diseases, hence improving the overall quality of life for children. So this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of caregivers regarding immunization under 5 years old in Basra city and determine the factors that influence the attitude and practices of caregivers/mothers towards immunization.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2023 to April 2024 in three primary health care centers in Basra city. The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices of caregivers towards immunization for children under 5 years old. Additionally, the study aimed to identify the factors that influence caregivers/mothers attitudes and practices towards immunization.
Results: The result of this study showed the highest percentage for the socio-demographic factors for mothers, as follows: Mother’s age at interval (18 -25) years had (37.7%), (37.3%) with high education level, (68%) house wife mothers, (39.7%) was for multipara mothers with (3-4 children), (60.3%) for mothers with only one child under 5 years old.
Based on knowledge scores about immunization, (91%) of the respondents had excellent knowledge score while (9%) had acceptable knowledge score? The results reveal that 85.7% of the participants strongly agree regarding vaccination is important.
The results of this study indicate that the highest percentage (76%) of mothers have positive attitudes. While the lowest percentage (24%) of the mothers have negative attitudes towards immunization.
The result showed a significant relationship between lack of media exposure and total knowledge score P-value 0.050, also showed significant relationship between mothers with 5-6 children and total attitude score (82.6%) positive attitudes at P. value = 0.016, attitudes and immunization status were associated (P. value = 0.006), with 79% of fully immunized children having mothers with positive attitudes and 21% with negative attitudes. Lack of knowledge regarding the schedule of vaccination (58.3%) was the most common reason for partial immunization and tending to have a negative attitude, but (85.7%) mothers with a lack motivation tends to a positive attitudes about immunization at P. value = 0.025.
Conclusion: This study concluded that the overall knowledge score for participants’ mothers and caregivers was 91% with excellent knowledge. Related to attitudes, the mothers have positive attitudes 76%, while 24% of them have negative attitudes towards immunization.
Maha Abdulredha Muhsen. Knowledge, attitude and practice study on immunization among caregivers of children under 5 years. Int J Adv Res Community Health Nurs 2024;6(2):91-99. DOI: 10.33545/26641658.2024.v6.i2b.196