Samah Awad1, Nour Abdo2, Dawood Yusef3, Afnan Jawarneh4, Ahmad Babaa4, Deya' Alwady4, Haitham Al-Bawayeh4, Ismail Kasrawi4, Mohamad Amaireh4, Motaz Obeidat4, Nama' Bany Amer4, Saad Alonze4. 1. Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan. Electronic address: smawad@just.edu.jo. 2. Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan. 3. Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan. 4. Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Influenza infection is associated with a significant health burden in children, especially in developing countries. The influenza vaccine is an important preventive strategy for flu illness. Aim of this study to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to influenza illness and vaccination in children in the Jordanian population and to study the effect of awareness campaigns on changing the attitudes of parents toward vaccinating their children against influenza. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among families visiting shopping malls and parks in November 2016. A questionnaire was administered via in-person interviews. Answers to KAP questions regarding influenza illness and vaccination were summed, with a total KAP score of 30. Facts about influenza illness and vaccination were explained to parents and provided in printed pamphlets. RESULTS: There were 1241 respondents. 10.9% of participants had vaccinated their children during the last season 2015/2016. The mean KAP score (standard deviation) was 16.21 (4.61). People living in urban areas, with high monthly income >600 JD and healthcare workers had higher KAP scores than their counterparts. Compared to other sources of information about the influenza vaccine, health resources correlated most with vaccinating children. Awareness and educational pamphlets changed attitudes positively in 29% of parents who refused the influenza vaccine for their children. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness about influenza illness and vaccination is insufficient, and the coverage rate of influenza vaccination in children is low in the Jordanian population. Implementing public health policies is necessary to spread knowledge about influenza illness and vaccination and to promote the practice of receiving the influenza vaccine in children. Educational campaigns are helpful in changing the attitudes of parents toward vaccinating their children against the flu.
BACKGROUND: Influenza infection is associated with a significant health burden in children, especially in developing countries. The influenza vaccine is an important preventive strategy for flu illness. Aim of this study to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to influenza illness and vaccination in children in the Jordanian population and to study the effect of awareness campaigns on changing the attitudes of parents toward vaccinating their children against influenza. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among families visiting shopping malls and parks in November 2016. A questionnaire was administered via in-person interviews. Answers to KAP questions regarding influenza illness and vaccination were summed, with a total KAP score of 30. Facts about influenza illness and vaccination were explained to parents and provided in printed pamphlets. RESULTS: There were 1241 respondents. 10.9% of participants had vaccinated their children during the last season 2015/2016. The mean KAP score (standard deviation) was 16.21 (4.61). People living in urban areas, with high monthly income >600 JD and healthcare workers had higher KAP scores than their counterparts. Compared to other sources of information about the influenza vaccine, health resources correlated most with vaccinating children. Awareness and educational pamphlets changed attitudes positively in 29% of parents who refused the influenza vaccine for their children. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness about influenza illness and vaccination is insufficient, and the coverage rate of influenza vaccination in children is low in the Jordanian population. Implementing public health policies is necessary to spread knowledge about influenza illness and vaccination and to promote the practice of receiving the influenza vaccine in children. Educational campaigns are helpful in changing the attitudes of parents toward vaccinating their children against the flu.
Authors: Hanan Ibrahim AlOmran; Abdullah S Al-Dosary; Fahad M AlGhamdi; Ziyad M Alshahrani; Nawaf S Altayar Journal: J Public Health Afr Date: 2022-05-24
Authors: Abdullah Alolayan; Bdoor Almotairi; Shouq Alshammari; Malak Alhearri; Mohammed Alsuhaibani Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-10-31 Impact factor: 3.390