title: The relationship between maternal characteristics, maternal vulnerability beliefs, and immunization compliance.
abstract: The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine the relationship of demographic variables and mothers' perceived vulnerability to eight communicable diseases with immunization compliance. A random sample consisting of 40 mothers with preschool-age children 4-24 months of age was interviewed by means of the Communicable Disease Perceived Vulnerability Scale and the investigator-developed Demographic Data Collection Instrument. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and chi-square (p < or = .05). The average mother in the sample was White, had a 10th- to 12th-grade education, was 24-31 years old, and had a yearly income of $10,000-$45,000. Statistically there were no significant relationships between maternal characteristics or between maternal vulnerability beliefs and immunization compliance. However, it is clinically significant that the overall compliance rate of 70% in this rural area is much higher than the national average of 50%. Findings suggest that using health education materials at the time of newborn discharge, mailing reminder cards, and accessing a statewide computer recall system may increase immunization compliance. In addition, mothers who perceived a vulnerability to the diseases had a 60.6% compliance rate, suggesting that perception of vulnerability may be a useful predictor of immunization compliance.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Houtrouw
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Carlson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012494:Sampling Studies