Experience with Parental Vaccination Refusal and Attitudes about Vaccinations of Pediatricians in Greece
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research - Year 2015, Vol 5, Issue 8
Abstract
Aim: To study the experience of Greek pediatricians with parents who refuse their children's vaccination and their attitudes towards vaccinations. Study Design: Nation-wide questionnaire-based survey conducted from February through May 2013. Methodology: We included 211 pediatricians. Results: A total of 190 (90%) pediatricians reported that they had encountered at least one case of parental vaccination refusal in the past. During 2012, the pediatricians faced a mean of 10.5 cases of vaccination refusals / 1000 vaccinations. The human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine was the most frequently refused vaccine, followed by the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. "Fear of adverse effects" was the most frequent reason of vaccination refusal (83.8%) followed by "Use of alternative medicine" (46.4%) and "Anti-vaccination belief against all vaccines" (45.3%). Internet was the most frequent source of information for parents who refused vaccination. Of 201 pediatricians, 135 (67.2%) stated that "Childhood vaccinations should be mandatory for primary-school entry", while 28 (13.9%) stated that "Parents have the right to refuse their children's vaccinations". Lastly, 130 (61.6%) pediatricians stated that they had concerns about vaccines, mainly about their costs (46.2%). Conclusion: Refusal of vaccinations by parents is not frequent in Greece and concerns mainly the HPV and the MMR vaccines. Pediatricians should improve their ability to deal with this issue.
Authors and Affiliations
H. C. Maltezou, D. Gkentzi, I. Grivea, N. Chaliasos, E. Galanakis, A. Pavli, P. Katerelos, G. Syrogiannopoulos, M. Theodoridou
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP344995
- DOI 10.9734/BJMMR/2015/13493
- Views 94
- Downloads 0
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome among Individuals Living with HIV and Receiving Antiretroviral Treatment in Tanzania
Aim: To estimate the prevalence and risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS) among HIV positive patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Tanzania. Study Design: A cross sectional study was conducted among adults ag...
Concomitant Onset of Thymoma and Primary Infection with Toxoplasma gondii: A Case Report
Aims: This case reports is about a patient with diagnosis of thymoma with intercurrent infection with Toxoplasma gondii. The state of immunosuppression caused by thymoma had probably facilitaded the development of an inf...
Microbial Profile of Paediatric Ear Infections in a Tertiary Hospital in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Background: Ear infections are common in childhood. The diagnosis and management of these infections in children is often difficult due to absence or non-implementation of clinical guidelines in developing countries like...
Effect of Carica papaya (L) Leaves on Haematological Parameters in Ccl4-induced Wistar Albino Rats
Aims: To investigate the effect of Carica papaya leaves on some haematological parameters (PCV, RBC, Hb, WBC and differential blood counts) were investigated. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Biochemist...
Recovery Expectations and Quality of Life after Revascularization Treatments
Aims: Despite the recognized effectiveness of revascularization treatments in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a significant number of patients continue to bear a compromised health related quality of lif...