Nurcan Akbas Gunes1. 1. Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Turkey; Yeni Family Health Center, Eskisehir, Turkey. Electronic address: drnurak@hotmail.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate Turkish parents' perspectives on childhood vaccines. DESIGN AND METHODS: 614 parents of the children between the ages of 0-14 years were included in the study for examining their perspectives about vaccine hesitation and rejection. Age, gender, educational level, number of children, and income levels of volunteer participants were recorded. In addition to the personal data, a questionnaire form with questions about vaccines and vaccination was prepared. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was found as 37.20 ± 6.84 years (range, 21 to 53). The rate of vaccine hesitancy was found to be statistically significantly and higher in men. A statistically higher number of women were affected by the opinions of the individuals around them related to vaccines. Moreover, the rate of hearing any negative information about vaccines increased as the level of education increased. The impact of an increase in the number of children and the income level of the participants on the survey parameters were evaluated and significant relationships were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine rejection is a significant public health problem in the world and will continue to be the case in the world. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: In our country, it has been determined that men's hesitation rates are higher and women are more affected by the environment. Necessary trainings should be planned in this regard. Also, as the level of education affects opinions of the vaccine, many plans are needed to increase the level of education.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate Turkish parents' perspectives on childhood vaccines. DESIGN AND METHODS: 614 parents of the children between the ages of 0-14 years were included in the study for examining their perspectives about vaccine hesitation and rejection. Age, gender, educational level, number of children, and income levels of volunteer participants were recorded. In addition to the personal data, a questionnaire form with questions about vaccines and vaccination was prepared. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was found as 37.20 ± 6.84 years (range, 21 to 53). The rate of vaccine hesitancy was found to be statistically significantly and higher in men. A statistically higher number of women were affected by the opinions of the individuals around them related to vaccines. Moreover, the rate of hearing any negative information about vaccines increased as the level of education increased. The impact of an increase in the number of children and the income level of the participants on the survey parameters were evaluated and significant relationships were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine rejection is a significant public health problem in the world and will continue to be the case in the world. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: In our country, it has been determined that men's hesitation rates are higher and women are more affected by the environment. Necessary trainings should be planned in this regard. Also, as the level of education affects opinions of the vaccine, many plans are needed to increase the level of education.