Parental reason for vaccinating a child. Edem A Tamakloe1 ,Jedidiah Koomson 1. 1Ghana Health Service

Background: Since last 100 years, vaccination coverage rate is one of the best public health outcome and service indicators. However, the vaccination system is still imperfect; there are many... [ view full abstract ]

Background: Since last 100 years, vaccination coverage rate is one of the best public health outcome and service indicators. However, the vaccination system is still imperfect; there are many countries that still have unvaccinated children. In Assin South district-Ghana, since 2012, vaccination coverage has been below 90%. Knowing that parental understandings and decisions regarding vaccination are very important to improve vaccination, the DHMT decided to organize this study to facilitate effective decision making on that.
The aim of this study was to assess the association between parental knowledge, educational level, present age and access to information regarding vaccination.
Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study design. Vaccination knowledge, practices and access to an audio-visual technology among 199 parents living in Assin South were evaluated through validated questionnaire. Familial data and reasons for vaccinating a child were collected from parents through interview at home. The activity was performed in all the Sub-districts, using a randomly selected community per Sub-district.
Results: More than half of respondents (83.4%) have adequate knowledge –practice (reason) scores. Significant association was noted for knowledge-practice groups with access to radio set (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Vaccination campaigns and awareness are required to improve parents’ knowledge and practice regarding it. The study results reinforce recommendations for use of educational programmes to improve the vaccination knowledge and practice.
Keywords: Vaccination, Ghana, Parents, Knowledge