Publication: Physicians and communities knowledge and awareness about new vaccines in immunization program: A study to derive lesson for increasing uptake
Date
2010
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
Abstract
Background: The knowledge, attitude of physicians about any interventions has effect on the practices while the
perceptions about such intervention by caregivers have impact on the acceptance in community.
Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and attitude of physicians and perception of the caregivers
about new vaccines, and to identify the solutions to address the knowledge gap, if any.
Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted a major city of India from Sept 2006- Jan 2007. 107
physicians and 298 caregivers were interviewed using a pre-tested semi structured interview schedule. The data so
collected was analyzed using chi square test and proportions. P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically
significant.
Results: It was found that only 3/5th physicians were aware that typhoid vaccination was part of the immunisation
program. The knowledge about all the aspects of typhoid was poor amongst physicians in comparison of other vaccine
(Hepatitis B) in the immunisation program. Physicians at private health facilities had poor knowledge than those working
at government health facilities. However, majority of the physicians had positive attitude towards typhoid vaccination.
All the caregivers had heard about typhoid disease and 39.8% about the vaccine also. Almost 80% of them were ready
to pay for typhoid vaccination.
Conclusions: The study underlines the need for special efforts to increase the awareness about typhoid vaccination
amongst these groups to increase the uptake of the vaccine.
Key words: Child Health; Hepatitis B, India, Newer vaccines, Typhoid
Description
Lahariya C1, Khandekar J 1, Vachher AS 1 , Pradhan SK 1, UG Students Research Group 1
1Department of Community Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India