Investigation of knowledge, attitude and behaviours of parents refusing childhood vaccines in Malatya, an eastern city of Turkey

Abstract

Objectives: The modern rise of vaccine rejection in society can alter the current progress that has been made towards the control and prevention of certain diseases, possibly even resulting in epidemics involving these preventable diseases. The aim of this study is to analyse the knowledge, attitude and behaviours of parents in Malatya city who rejected childhood vaccines.

Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between September-November 2019. The study includes parents who rejected vaccines and are registered in the family medicine clinics of Malatya city - total of 453 participants. The objective was to include all parents and avoid a sampling procedure. However, only 151 (33%) parents agreed to participate. These parents who rejected vaccines were individually contacted by phone. Descriptive data was represented by number (n) and percentage (%). The chi-square test was utilized in the statistical analysis of data and p < 0.05 was considered significant in all evaluations.

Results: Mothers in the study group had a mean age of 26.07 ± 3.64, while the fathers were on average 30.03 ± 4.59 years of age; 98% of parents were aware of the health risks that vaccine rejection presented; 93% of parents were not satisfied with the explanation, insight, and advice that the healthcare personnel provided regarding vaccines. All parents of the study group stated the following: vaccines should not be administered because other children in their close environment acquired a disease as a result of vaccination, vaccines can harm the immune system of children - not yet fully developed, vaccines are unsafe and endanger the health of children.

Conclusions: It can be said that parents who have obtained a lot of false information possess altered decisions and views on vaccinations, to the point where they accept the risks presented by preventable diseases. In addition, individuals lose trust following negative experiences with vaccination.