Knowledge Of Vaccine-preventable Diseases Research Articles

Training needs assessment of European healthcare workers on vaccinology and vaccine acceptance

Abstract Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the frontline of interaction with those that are taking decisions around vaccination. They need adequate training. The general aim of this systematic review is to assess HCWs’ training needs on vaccinology and vaccine acceptance. This work was performed for the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) under the specific contract No 1ECD.12108 ID.12922 implementing the framework contract number ECDC/2021/005. Methods The search was performed using MEDLINE, Scopus and Google Scholar databases in February 2022. The following inclusion criteria were used: date (from 01/01/2011 to 24/02/2022); language (English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, French and Romanian); geographic location of the study (Europe). Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS checklist) was used to assess the methodological quality of the included papers. Results The scientific literature search retrieved 640 results on PubMed, 556 on Scopus and 15 on Google Scholar. In total, 1211 records were identified. After the duplicate removal and the title/abstract assessment, 132 publications were assessed for eligibility. Finally, after the full-text assessment, only 25 articles were included. As regards for the quality assessment, all studies were judged of moderate-good quality. The majority of studies stressed the need to deepen general knowledge of vaccine preventable diseases, vaccine efficacy, vaccination schedule and adverse effects of vaccines. Conclusions Considering their role in the community, especially as source of information and trust for vaccine acceptance, educational initiatives in vaccinology and vaccine hesitancy should be prioritized for HCWs, aimed at increasing their knowledge, awareness, and attitudes. An important heterogeneity of educational backgrounds, activities performed and training needs of the HCWs involved in vaccination at European level was one of the main critical issue to be addressed for future actions. Key messages

Insights into Predictors of Vaccine Hesitancy and Promoting Factors in Childhood Immunization Programs-A Cross-Sectional Survey in Cameroon.

Background: Vaccination is claimed to be a key intervention against the COVID-19 pandemic. A major challenge today is to increase vaccine acceptance as vaccine hesitancy has delayed the eradication of polio. This study aimed to identify predictors associated with vaccine acceptance in the context of the Expanded Program on Immunization among parents of children between the ages of 12 to 23 months in the Foumbot district, Cameroon. Methods: The design of this study is a cross-sectional survey. A total of 160 mothers of children between the ages of 12 to 23 months were selected using a simple random sampling technique. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Incomplete vaccination status was considered “vaccine hesitancy”. Data was analyzed along with 95% confidence intervals and the p-value < 0.05. The results showed 60% vaccine acceptance and 40% vaccine hesitancy. Factors such as age-appropriate vaccination, knowledge of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD), and religion were associated with vaccine acceptance. Conclusion: Poor knowledge of VPDs is a matter of concern as it contributes to vaccine hesitancy. The study findings provide the basis to heighten health education, the public perceived threat of the VPDs, and the consequences if no measures are taken to ensure health.

Understanding the determinants of vaccine hesitancy among adolescents: a systematic review

Abstract Background The WHO defines vaccine hesitancy (VH) as ‘a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccine services'. In spite of the models explaining VH and the tools used to address it, VH still represents a current problem and has been declared one of the top ten global health threats by WHO in 2019. This is mainly true for the adolescents who represents 25% of the global population. This systematic review aims to address the determinants of VH in this target population. Methods PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched to retrieve articles, published in English, assessing adolescents' attitudes and confidence towards vaccinations with any study design (qualitative or quantitative) from the inception until Dec 2020. A methodological quality assessment of the articles was performed based on the study designs. Results Out of 14,704 articles, 20 studies were included in the qualitative analysis. Ten out of 20 studies were evaluated as of “good quality”, while nine had “moderate quality” and only one had “poor quality”. Factors associated to a positive attitude towards vaccination included knowledge of vaccine preventable diseases, the awareness of vaccines, their efficacy, safety and free of charge, higher education level and active involvement in decision-making. An association between VH and socio-economic conditions was also highlighted. Conclusions This systematic review elucidated a better understanding of the determinants of VH among the adolescent population. Adolescence represents a crucial phase of life in which boys and girls begin to make significant choices about their health and develop attitudes and behaviours that continue into adulthood. Indeed, their concerns and needs in respect to vaccination should be widely examined and taken into consideration to plan tailored interventions to promote vaccination and reduce VH. Key messages Vaccine hesitancy among adolescents is a major global health priority. This problem is little studied and further studies and initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of the problem should be deserved.

PIN95 PATIENT KNOWLEDGE ABOUT VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES: BASELINE RESULTS OF THE VACCINE EDUCATION THROUGH PHARMACISTS AND SENIOR CENTERS (VEPSC) TRIAL

Older adults experience low zoster and pneumonia vaccination rates, especially among minorities. Engaging patients in education about vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases may be an important factor in increasing vaccine uptake. Vaccine Education through Pharmacists and Senior Centers (VEPSC) is a vaccine education trial of older adults being completed in senior community centers. Aim of VEPSC is to test effectiveness of didactic pharmacist-delivered education (PHARM) versus interactive peer-led small group education (PEER) in improving knowledge and beliefs about vaccination for zoster, influenza, and pneumonia. Purpose of this analysis is to present baseline knowledge results. VEPSC was conducted through Delaware Valley senior community centers from Fall 2017-Fall 2018. Participants completed knowledge and beliefs questionnaires at baseline, immediately post-program, and one month post-program. Knowledge scores were calculated as number of correct answers (max total score=22; max subitem scores for zoster, influenza, and pneumonia were 8, 7, and 7 respectively); baseline knowledge results were compared by race (Caucasian vs. other) via Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test and by group via ANOVA. Baseline sample had 280 participants (127 PEER, 153 PHARM). Groups were similar for all demographics except race: PEER was predominantly African-American (81.9%); PHARM was 45.1% African-American, 39.9% Caucasian (p<0.0001). Caucasians had statistically higher mean baseline knowledge than other races: total knowledge score (13.51 vs. 10.79, p<0.0001), zoster (4.71 vs. 3.49, p<0.0001), influenza (5.20 vs. 4.39, p=0.0007), pneumonia (3.60 vs. 2.91, p=0.014). Baseline mean total knowledge score and pneumonia subscore differed by group with PEER scoring higher than PHARM for both (total 11.74 PEER vs. 10.99 PHARM, p=0.0196; pneumonia 3.25 PEER vs. 2.91 PHARM, p=0.0197). Baseline mean zoster and influenza subscores did not statistically differ by group (zoster 3.87 PEER vs. 3.63 PHARM; influenza 4.62 PEER vs. 4.45 PHARM). Significant opportunity exists to improve older adults’ knowledge of vaccine-preventable diseases through a senior community center model.

Vaccinations among Italian adolescents: Knowledge, attitude and behavior

ABSTRACTThis study evaluates knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of adolescents regarding vaccinations. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 771 adolescents, aged 11 to 18 selected from a random sample of 5 public schools, in the period between March and May 2017, in the geographical area of Naples. A self-administered questionnaire was used to seek information about: 1) socio-demographic characteristics; 2) knowledge of vaccine-preventable diseases; 3) attitudes towards vaccinations; 4) behavior regarding vaccinations. 57.2% had a fair/satisfactory knowledge of vaccine-preventable diseases. This knowledge was significantly higher in those who had at least one graduated parent, those who had received information about the vaccines from physicians and those who needed additional information about the vaccines. With regards to attitude, 41.3% of adolescents had a very favorable attitude by responding 9 or 10 towards the utility of vaccines in preventing diseases. This was significantly associated with the usefulness of information received about vaccinations and with age of respondents. Regarding vaccination decisions, 47.2% believed that adolescents should make vaccination decisions for themselves. These results highlight the need to implement educational interventions to improve adolescents' understanding of vaccinations so that they are more informed in decisions regarding their health.

‘Hesitant compliers’: Qualitative analysis of concerned fully-vaccinating parents

ObjectiveSome parents are hesitant about vaccines and yet still vaccinate their children. Vaccine behaviours are not fixed and parents who are concerned but nonetheless adherent to standard schedules could switch to an unconventional schedule, delaying or cherry-picking vaccines. There is a need to better understand vaccine hesitancy in specific contexts, acknowledging cultural and geographical variation, to ensure interventions targeting hesitancy are well directed and received. MethodsTo identify the behaviours, knowledge and attitudes of ‘hesitant compliers’ in Perth, Western Australia, nine one-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted with vaccinating parents of children (<5 years) who were identified as being hesitant. Interview transcripts were analysed qualitatively and themes developed inductively, following a constructivist paradigm. ResultsParents saw vaccination as important for themselves and their community, despite their limited knowledge of vaccine preventable diseases. Parents reported concerns about potential side effects, and worried about the safety of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and seasonal influenza vaccines. Concerned about the role of anti-vaccination information in the community, some sought to isolate themselves from parents who did not vaccinate, although others were concerned that this could entrench non-vaccinators’ behaviours. Parents’ views were all underlaid by two pivotal ‘vaccine-related events’ that had occurred in the community: the severe injury of a baby from seasonal influenza vaccination in 2010, and the death of a baby from whooping cough in 2015. ConclusionsParents interpreted pivotal vaccine-related events in the community as requiring them to take personal responsibility for vaccine decisions. Their reports of continued vaccine fears (evident in international studies in recent decades) demonstrate that vaccine scares have long lasting effects. With vaccine rates high and stable, current strategies appear to be have little impact on addressing parental vaccine concerns. Further research is required to determine the prevalence of hesitancy amongst vaccinating parents and identify critical points for intervention.

Myths and misconceptions as barriers to uptake of immunization services in Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria

Context: Nigeria is presently one of only three countries in the world that are polio endemic.   The immunization program in Nigeria has been marred by several factors including myths and misconceptions.  Objective: The objective of this study was to identify myths and misconceptions that affect utilization of childhood immunization services in Calabar, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: Focus group discussion sessions were held among caregivers in Calabar, Nigeria. Each group consisted of 12 women of reproductive age. Data obtained from each session were transcribed and analyzed using the content analysis approach.Results: Participants had poor knowledge of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs). Some mentioned non-VPDs as if they were VPDs. Some believed that “so called” VPDs are caused by mermaid spirits, witches and wizards. The solution to VPDs proffered by participants was sacrificing in the river by midnight. Some caregivers felt that multiple doses of vaccines could harm the children. With regard to polio, one caregiver said that “Polio is due to mammy water (water mermaid). The solution is not immunization. The solution is to sacrifice to the mermaid by 12 midnight in any river close to where the child was born, on the night of the child's birth. Once this is done, the child can never never have polio.”Conclusion: Myths and misconceptions regarding immunization are rife in most Nigerian communities. There is need to debunk them through health education in order to ensure success of the country's immunization program.

Rural-urban disparities in maternal immunization knowledge and childhood health-seeking behavior in Nigeria: A mixed method study

Immunization and appropriate health-seeking behavior are effective strategies to reduce child deaths. To compare maternal knowledge about immunization, use of growth chart and childhood health-seeking behavior in rural and urban areas. A cross-sectional comparative study done in Lagos, Nigeria. Questionnaire survey and focus group discussions were done. 300 respondents were selected by multi-stage sampling while discussants were purposively selected. Awareness of immunization was high but knowledge of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) was poor in both areas. Urban women utilized preventive services more; growth monitoring (p<0.001) and immunization (p<0.001) while higher proportions of rural women utilized nutritional counseling (p=0.005) and treatment of illness (p<0.001). Growth chart utilization was better in the urban areas (p<0.001). Increasing maternal education increased use of growth chart in both areas. Both groups of women use multiple treatment sources for children (more in urban), determined by cost, time, perceived severity of illness and type of ailment (urban) and peculiarity of illness (rural). There is a preference for orthodox care in the rural area. Knowledge of VPDs was poor and multiple treatment sources were common among rural and urban women. Education is vital to improve immunization knowledge and health-seeking behavior in both areas.

Knowledge of vaccine preventable diseases among nursing mothers attending paediatric clinic in Lagos University Teaching Hospital

ObjectivesThe study investigated the knowledge of nursing mothers about vaccine preventable diseases, their causes and the benefits of childhood vaccination.Methods69 nursing mothers aged 21–50 years who had completed secondary education...

Analysis of factors influencing vaccine uptake: perspective from Spain

Although each of the 17 Autonomous Regions in Spain has their own vaccination policies, factors influencing vaccine uptake do not differ considerably among them. Knowledge of vaccine preventable diseases, awareness that the diseases prevented by vaccinations are serious or very serious, awareness that vaccinations are not generally associated with serious adverse events, cost-free status and satisfaction with our computerised immunization registry, are the elements which influence vaccine uptake in our country.