Hayleigh Miller1, Nicola Kerruish2, Roland S Broadbent3, David Barker3, Benjamin J Wheeler3. 1. Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. 2. Bioethics Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Department of Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. 3. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the influencing factors and reasoning of parents who opt out of intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis for their newborn. DESIGN: We conducted a qualitative study with 15 families from the Otago/Southland region of New Zealand. Semistructured interviews explored their choice to opt out of intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis and thematic analysis was used to elucidate themes that captured important aspects of this parental decision-making process. RESULTS: Parents opt out of intramuscular vitamin K for a variety of reasons. These were clustered into three main themes: parents' beliefs and values (philosophy and spirituality), concerns about their child's welfare (pain and potential side effects) and external influencing factors (family, friends, media and health professionals). As part of a wider family hesitancy towards medical intervention, the majority of parents also raised concerns regarding other perinatal or childhood interventions. CONCLUSION: Many factors influence parental decision making and lead to a decision to opt out of newborn intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis. Due to strong parallels with other common childhood interventions, these findings have relevance for vitamin K prophylaxis and for other healthcare interventions in childhood. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/
OBJECTIVE: To explore the influencing factors and reasoning of parents who opt out of intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis for their newborn. DESIGN: We conducted a qualitative study with 15 families from the Otago/Southland region of New Zealand. Semistructured interviews explored their choice to opt out of intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis and thematic analysis was used to elucidate themes that captured important aspects of this parental decision-making process. RESULTS: Parents opt out of intramuscular vitamin K for a variety of reasons. These were clustered into three main themes: parents' beliefs and values (philosophy and spirituality), concerns about their child's welfare (pain and potential side effects) and external influencing factors (family, friends, media and health professionals). As part of a wider family hesitancy towards medical intervention, the majority of parents also raised concerns regarding other perinatal or childhood interventions. CONCLUSION: Many factors influence parental decision making and lead to a decision to opt out of newborn intramuscular vitamin K prophylaxis. Due to strong parallels with other common childhood interventions, these findings have relevance for vitamin K prophylaxis and for other healthcare interventions in childhood. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/
Authors: Jaspreet Loyal; James A Taylor; Carrie A Phillipi; Neera K Goyal; Kelly E Wood; Carl Seashore; Beth King; Eve Colson; Veronika Shabanova; Eugene D Shapiro Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2018-08 Impact factor: 7.124