Attitudes and Knowledge Towards Immunization in Tuzla Canton Population

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the proven safety and efficacy of vaccines, common diseases which can be prevented by regular vaccination, are still not controlled in all European countries. The most important barriers which parents encounter while making decisions about vaccination include unwanted vaccination effects, attitude towards the disease, and the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine. Methods: The sample consisted of 1850 participants who have registered place of residence in one of the five cities in the region of the Tuzla Canton. The questioner was created by the authors of this paper and it consisted of 22 items which were divided into 4 categories. Results: Statistical analysis showed that more than half of participants who have declared themselves as vaccine skeptics had completed secondary school as their last level of education, and base their attitude on the information provided through the mass media sources without performing additional verification. It has been found that there is a certain percentage of healthcare workers with whom the parents contacted, and who advised them against the immunization of their child, which further deepens the skepticism of parents. Discussion: We need better and more efficient ways of informing and engaging the vaccine sceptic parents. This whole process cannot be left to the parents themselves, and the role of a healthcare professional is based on the fact that he/she is a reference person who will inform, through adequate communication, provide basic knowledge and help the parents during this entire process. Key Words: vaccine, active immunization, MMR vaccine, anti-vaccination movement