Title
Determinants of Dutch parents' decisions to vaccinate their child
Author
Paulussen, T.G.W.
Hoekstra, F.
Lanting, C.I.
Buijs, G.B.
Hirasing, R.A.
TNO Preventie en Gezondheid
Publication year
2006
Abstract
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.
Subject
Health
Behavioural sciences
Decision-making
Child development
Computer
Controlled study
Decision making
Health education
Health program
Infection
Information dissemination
Mass medium
Medical information
Parent
Parental attitude
Physician
Risk factor
Safety
Adult
Attitude
Child
Data Interpretation, Statistical
Health Care Surveys
Health Education
Humans
Immunization Programs
Logistic Models
Netherlands
Parents
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Questionnaires
Vaccination
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.08.053
TNO identifier
239097
ISSN
0264-410X
Source
Vaccine, 24 (5), 644-651
Document type
article