Conocimientos de los padres españoles sobre la vacunación de sus hijos durante la década 1993-2003. Datos por comunidades autónomas

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to analyse the knowledge of Spanish parents about the officially recommended vaccinations for their children. Methods We analysed 3.653 questionnaires from the Spanish National Health Surveys for the years 1993 and 2003.We used the question “For which of the following diseases do you think vaccination is officially recommended?” as a dichotomous dependent variable (“yes” or “no”). Results As independent variables, we used sociodemographic data and the perceived health of the child. Knowledge of 5 of the 7 recommended vaccinations decreased during the decade of the study. Logistic regression associated highly educated Spanish parents with decreased knowledge of vaccines. Analysis of the global outcome of vaccines recommended during the decade, showed that, in 2003, parents had less knowledge about vaccines (OR = 0.54; CI 95%, 0.73-0.40) than in 1993. In Aragon, Baleares, Castilla y Leon, Madrid and La Rioja, the probability that parent knowledge of officially recommended vaccines is “good” is almost half what it was in 1993. Conclusions Knowledge of 5 of the 7 recommended vaccinations decreased during the decade of the study, both nationally and in 5 autonomous communities.