Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors about rotavirus infection and its vaccination in a sample of parents in Naples, Italy. The survey was conducted between June and December 2018 among parents of children aged 3 months to 3 years. A total of 40.7% of the study subjects declared that they had heard about rotavirus infection and 60.8% and 59.2% were aware about the vaccination and of its availability in Italy. Parents with a child aged <1 year and those who reported the physicians as source of information were more likely to have heard about rotavirus infection and to know that the vaccination is available in Italy. More than half (56.4%) were worried that their children could have a rotavirus gastroenteritis and this was most likely to occur in those who have heard about rotavirus infection. Only 15.3% declared that they had immunized their children against rotavirus infection. Parents who considered it dangerous for their children to contract the rotavirus gastroenteritis, those who considered the rotavirus vaccine useful, and those who had received information by physicians were more likely to have vaccinated their children against the infection. More than half of the parents who did not immunize their children expressed their willingness to vaccinate them. Developing and implementing additional public education programs are needed for better knowledge toward rotavirus infection and vaccination and a high coverage among parents.
Highlights
Rotavirus is one of the leading causes of gastroenteritis among children younger than 5 years of age and data worldwide estimated that it globally caused approximately 37% of all diarrhea-associated hospitalizations and 215,000 deaths [1], whereas in Italy the estimated incidence is 5 cases per 100 [2].The World Health Organization has recommended the introduction of the vaccine against rotavirus in all national immunization programs since 2009 [3,4]
The sample size calculation was based on the expected positive attitude of parents towards the willingness to vaccinate their children with rotavirus vaccine of 80% [19,20], a confidence interval of 95%, and an error of 5%
This study, conducted within the season when rotaviruses do not peak in temperate countries, is the first to analyze the knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors towards rotavirus infection and relative vaccination for their children and of their influencing predictors in the population of parents in Italy
Summary
The World Health Organization has recommended the introduction of the vaccine against rotavirus in all national immunization programs since 2009 [3,4]. In Italy, childhood vaccinations are provided by public centers and in Campania region rotavirus vaccination is recommended and free of charge since. Despite the vaccination’s implementation having resulted as a safe and effective public health strategy with a sustained reduction in rotavirus disease burden and deaths [7,8], coverage rates remain low in many countries [9]. Primary care for children ≤6 years old is provided free of charge by primary care pediatricians and for those aged >6 years either by pediatricians or general practitioners
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