PARENTS' ATTITUDES TO VACCINATION IN SEMEY CITY:A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: The effectiveness of the immunization is proved by international investigations but
now many doubts and suspicions of parents toward vaccination exist.
Objectives: To study the attitude of the parents toward vaccination among the population of Semey
city.
Methods: the main points of the questionnaire have been developed according to international
research data. Answers of the questionnaire were divided into grades: totally agree, rather agree, I have
no clear opinion rather disagree, and completely disagree. The frequency and percentages are used to
for description of parameters. Chi-square tests used for between-group comparisons.
Results. This investigation discovered that many parents are very wary of vaccination. To the
question: "The children get more immunizations than necessary» 50,5% (n = 598) of respondents said
they did not have a clear opinion. 10,4% (n=123) of those surveyed are concerned that the child's
immune system can be weakened by a large number of vaccinations. 20,0% (n=237) respondents
doubted that vaccination is more safety medical care. 10,1% (n=120) of parents think that it would be
better if child get ill the natural infection then receive vaccination. 29,0% (n=343) of respondents did not
have clear thought if it is necessary to vaccinated healthy children. 7,1% (n=84) of respondents believe
that vaccinations do more harm than favor. Only 61,9% (n = 733) of respondents agree that
immunization is needed to protect children from disease.
Conclusions. Our study showed a low awareness of population toward the vaccination. Parents
have uncertain idea about vaccination, what kind of vaccines is used now, what is the real and
imaginary threat of vaccination. And therefor it is necessary to increase awareness toward vaccination
not only in the primary health care, but also using available media.