Vaccination status among children in an urban area and its association with risk factors and some parent health practices: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThe study aims to determine the vaccination status of children and evaluate the relationship between vaccination rates, vaccine attitudes, and some parental health practices.Design and MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was conducted with 674 mothers. Data were collected using a survey evaluating vaccine characteristics, some infant health practices, and The Public Attitude Toward Vaccination Scale—Health Belief Model. Chi‐square test, independent samples t‐test, and logistic regression analysis were used.Results80.2% of children were fully vaccinated. The rate of non or under‐vaccination was higher in the group that did not regularly undergo follow‐up for 0–2‐year‐old children, did not fully have health screenings, did not use vitamin D and iron supplements, and used alternative medicine. Moreover, the duration of breast milk feeding, the transition to supplementary food, and the duration of vitamin D use in the non‐fully vaccinated group were lower than in the fully vaccinated group (p < .05). The increase in maternal education period and severity and benefit attitude scores of vaccine attitude were the factors that decreased the rate of non‐fully vaccination. The increase in barrier scores toward vaccines increased the rate of non or under‐vaccination.ConclusionMothers who have negative attitudes toward vaccination have negative behaviors in health practices and screenings on infant/child health.