Publication: Knowledge and practice of childhood immunization among parents in Kelantan, Malaysia during the covid-19 pandemic in 2021
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Date
2021
Authors
Baharudin, Jamil Aiman Mohd
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Abstract
Introduction: Childhood vaccination coverage is low in Kelantan compared to other states in Malaysia. This study aims to determine the knowledge and practice of immunization among parents in Kelantan during the pandemic and correlate with their demographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a validated online questionnaire throughout the month of May to June 2021. Invitation was distributed to parents attending Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan and staff of paediatric department HUSM. The snowball sampling strategy was employed as all participants were encouraged to invite their friends and families to answer the questionnaire. A total of 311 parents were included in the study. The questionnaire consists of ten questions each on knowledge and practice and three questions pertaining to vaccination status. Results: The majority of the respondents were Malay (94.2%), Muslim (94.5%) women (79.7%) and married (96.1%). Median score for immunization knowledge was 8 (IQR 2) and for practice was 7 (IQR 3). Area of residence, age, number of children, education level, employment and household income were significantly associated with immunization knowledge and practice (p-value 0.05). Higher parental education with better household income were significant positive predictors of better knowledge and practice. Majority of parents (97.8%) completed their child’s vaccination despite the pandemic. Conclusion: There is good immunization knowledge and practice among parents in Kelantan. The pandemic might have contributed to the increase in parental awareness on the importance of vaccination. Improving education levels and addressing income inequality in the population are possible strategies to further boost immunization coverage in Kelantan.
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Keywords
Childhood immunization , knowledge