Determinants of Dutch parents' decisions to vaccinate their child
article
This study examines the factors that influence parents' decisions to have their children vaccinated under the Dutch National Immunisation Programme. A computer questionnaire was sent to 500 parents in 1999 (the response rate was 98.2%). The intention to vaccinate was most strongly determined by attitudes. The belief that vaccination is safe and the best way to protect children against infectious diseases positively influenced parents' attitudes. The idea that children receive too many vaccines simultaneously and that vaccination interferes with natural development had a negative effect on attitudes. Dutch parents believe that doctors only inform them about the benefits of vaccination and disregard possible drawbacks. Since attitudes did not appear to be the result of thorough deliberation, parents could easily be influenced by negative publicity about vaccination. Educational campaigns and practitioners' advice should provide complete information about all aspects of the question, enabling parents to make well-considered and therefore enduring decisions. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Topics
Behavioural sciencesDecision-makingChild developmentComputerControlled studyDecision makingHealth educationHealth programInfectionInformation disseminationMass mediumMedical informationParentParental attitudePhysicianRisk factorSafetyAdultAttitudeChildData Interpretation, StatisticalHealth Care SurveysHealth EducationHumansImmunization ProgramsLogistic ModelsNetherlandsParentsPatient Acceptance of Health CareQuestionnairesVaccination
TNO Identifier
239097
ISSN
0264410X
Source
Vaccine, 24(5), pp. 644-651.
Pages
644-651
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