Awareness and acceptance of hepatitis B vaccination in Clementi, Singapore.
Hepatitis B Virus infection, a public health problem in Singapore, can be effectively controlled by vaccination. This paper reports on a study conducted in 1988/89 to ascertain the awareness and uptake rate of Hepatitis B vaccination. A list of children born between November 1986 and May 1987 in the catchmen zone of the Clementi Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Clinic was obtained. Out of a total of 257 children, 226 (87.9%) responded to our study in May 1988 which was part of a larger community health survey carried out by a group of medical students. The vaccination uptake rate was 23%. The awareness of the parents on Hepatitis B virus infection and vaccination was assessed using a standardised questionnaire. About two-thirds were aware of the main modes of Hepatitis B transmission, 46.5% were aware of the long-term consequences of Hepatitis B infection and 6.6% thought that the vaccine was not safe from serious side effects. A follow-up survey of the respondents was carried out in August 1989. The Hepatitis B vaccination uptake had increased to 48.3%. The immunisation status showed a correlation with the ethnic group, father's occupation and awareness score of respondents. The more than two-fold increase in uptake rate can be attributed to a reduction in the cost of Hepatitis B vaccination and a vigorous nation-wide education programme during the preceding year.
Fong
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NP
Department of Community, Occupational & Family Medicine, National University of Singapore.
Basir
H
H
Seow
A
A
D044466:Asian People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines