Factors affecting mothers’ knowledge regarding childhood vaccination in Kattankudy MOH area

Abstract

Background: Vaccination is the administration of a substance to stimulate a protective immune response in human body. It is the most cost effective strategy used for control of life-threatening infectious diseases. It is a proven tool to avert over 2 million deaths each year. Maternal knowledge regarding vaccination greatly influences the use of childhood immunization services.Objectives: To assess the factors affecting mothers’ knowledge regarding childhood vaccination in Kattankudy MOH area and to identify the selected socio-demographic factors which affecting mothers’ knowledge.Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 377 mothers who were accompanying children less than 5 years to Maternal and Child Health Clinics. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data on knowledge of mothers who were selected by systematic sampling in the randomly selected 4 PHM areas. The level of knowledge was determined by assigning marks to the correct responses to the questions on knowledge. The data was analysed using SPSS statistical software package.Results: Mean knowledge score of this study was 57.45%. Among the total population nearly half of the mothers (55.7%) had good knowledge whereas only 0.3% had poor knowledge. Although 90.7% knew that vaccines prevent communicable diseases, only 32.1% were aware about the herd immunity. Level of knowledge was significantly (p<0.05) associated with educational level of mother and monthly income of the family. Regarding the source of knowledge on vaccination Public Health Midwife plays the major role (92.0%).Conclusion: The study showed that more than half of the mothers had good knowledge. Educational level of mother and monthly income of the family were influencing the knowledge of mothers regarding childhood vaccination.