Bing Wang1, Michelle Clarke2, Hossein Haji Ali Afzali3, Helen Marshall4. 1. School of Population Health/Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit (VIRTU), Women's and Children's Hospital, 72 King William Rd, North Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia. Electronic address: bing.wang@adelaide.edu.au. 2. Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit (VIRTU), Women's and Children's Hospital, 72 King William Rd, North Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia. Electronic address: michelle.clarke@adelaide.edu.au. 3. Discipline of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Level 7, 178 North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia. Electronic address: hossein.hajialiafzali@adelaide.edu.au. 4. Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit (VIRTU), Women's and Children's Hospital, 72 King William Rd, North Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia; Discipline of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Level 7, 178 North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia; Robinson Institute and School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: helen.marshall@adelaide.edu.au.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) and concern about the disease in the South Australian Community including adolescents, adults, parents and non-parents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted by face to face interviews in South Australia in 2012. Participants were scored on their knowledge and concern about IMD. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed with the survey data weighted by age and gender in accordance with 2011 Census data. RESULTS: Of 5200 households randomly selected and stratified by metropolitan or rural location, 3055 participants were interviewed with a response rate of 60.3%. The majority were Australian born (74.2%, n=2267) with 31.8% (n=972) of those interviewed being parents, and 15.9% (n=487) adolescents (15-24 years). Almost a quarter of participants (23.5%, n=717) do not know what meningococcal disease is, with 9.1% (n=278) believing incorrectly that IMD is a viral infection. 36.6% (n=1114) had low overall knowledge of IMD. Adolescents (p<0.050), non-Australian born (p<0.001), low educational attainment (p=0.019), low household income (p=0.011), low/medium socio-economic status (p<0.050) or living in a metropolitan area (p=0.006) were more likely to have lower overall knowledge of IMD. Participants who were not parents (p<0.001), male gender (p<0.001), single (p<0.001), highly educated (p=0.022) or had high household income (p=0.015), had lower concern about IMD. CONCLUSION: Large community knowledge gaps for IMD were observed, particularly amongst adolescents and adults with low educational attainment and low socio-economic status. Improving community knowledge of IMD could help ensure optimal uptake of a new meningococcal vaccine. Our study results can help guide development of community tailored immunisation education programs.
OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) and concern about the disease in the South Australian Community including adolescents, adults, parents and non-parents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted by face to face interviews in South Australia in 2012. Participants were scored on their knowledge and concern about IMD. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed with the survey data weighted by age and gender in accordance with 2011 Census data. RESULTS: Of 5200 households randomly selected and stratified by metropolitan or rural location, 3055 participants were interviewed with a response rate of 60.3%. The majority were Australian born (74.2%, n=2267) with 31.8% (n=972) of those interviewed being parents, and 15.9% (n=487) adolescents (15-24 years). Almost a quarter of participants (23.5%, n=717) do not know what meningococcal disease is, with 9.1% (n=278) believing incorrectly that IMD is a viral infection. 36.6% (n=1114) had low overall knowledge of IMD. Adolescents (p<0.050), non-Australian born (p<0.001), low educational attainment (p=0.019), low household income (p=0.011), low/medium socio-economic status (p<0.050) or living in a metropolitan area (p=0.006) were more likely to have lower overall knowledge of IMD. Participants who were not parents (p<0.001), male gender (p<0.001), single (p<0.001), highly educated (p=0.022) or had high household income (p=0.015), had lower concern about IMD. CONCLUSION: Large community knowledge gaps for IMD were observed, particularly amongst adolescents and adults with low educational attainment and low socio-economic status. Improving community knowledge of IMD could help ensure optimal uptake of a new meningococcal vaccine. Our study results can help guide development of community tailored immunisation education programs.
Authors: Veja Widdershoven; Rianne P Reijs; Amanja Verhaegh-Haasnoot; Robert A C Ruiter; Christian J P A Hoebe Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2022-05-31 Impact factor: 3.667
Authors: Bing Wang; Gang Chen; Julie Ratcliffe; Hossein Haji Ali Afzali; Lynne Giles; Helen Marshall Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-07-26 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Marion de Vries; Liesbeth Claassen; Margreet J M Te Wierik; Danielle R M Timmermans; Aura Timen Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-04-01 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Louise Flood; Matthew McConnell; Luda Molchanoff; Zell Dodd; Jana Sisnowski; Melissa Fidock; Tina Miller; Karli Borresen; Hannah Vogt; Andrew Lane Journal: Western Pac Surveill Response J Date: 2021-03-08
Authors: Marzena Drozd-Dąbrowska; Katarzyna Topczewska; Marcin Korzeń; Anna Sałacka; Maria Ganczak Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-01-18 Impact factor: 3.390