Evaluation of Families' Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behaviours About Childhood Special Vaccines in Turkey and Comparison of Sociodemographic Characteristics

Research Article

Abstract

Introduction: The vaccination schedule for infants is determined by the Ministry of Health, and there are routine vaccinations that should be given to infants.

Aim: In this study, we aimed to evaluate families' attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors about rotavirus, meningococcal, and HPV vaccines that are not in the vaccination schedule and to compare them socio-demographically.

Methods: This study investigated the vaccination status of 150 children aged 0 to 15 years brought to the pediatrics outpatient clinic of Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital and Acıbadem Şinasi Can Hospital. Attitudes and knowledge behaviors of families about rotavirus, meningococcal, and HPV vaccines, which are not in the vaccination calendar of the Ministry of Health, were evaluated, and their sociodemographic behaviors were controlled. The data collected from the mothers through questionnaires are presented as a descriptive analysis.

Results: Of 57.3% of the mothers who applied to Ümraniye State Hospital did not vaccinate their children against rotavirus, and 80% of the mothers who applied to Acıbadem Hospital had their children vaccinated against rotavirus. Of 70.9% of the mothers who applied to Ümraniye State Hospital stated that they did not have meningitis vaccination, and 67.1% of those who applied to Acıbadem Hospital stated that they had vaccination (p:0.000). Almost half of the (49.4%) of the mothers who applied to Ümraniye State Hospital stated that they had not heard the word HPV virus, but 79.7% of the mothers who applied to Acıbadem Hospital stated that they had heard the word HPV virus (p:0.000).

Conclusion: Regarding the outcomes of this research, one can state that there are socio-demographic and behavioral differences in families who applied to private or state hospital.