title: Reasons for non-adherence to vaccination at mother and child care clinics (MCCs) in Lambaréné, Gabon.
abstract: The aim of this paper is to explore attitudes of mothers towards childhood vaccinations and reasons for non-attendance and non-adherence to mother-child clinics (MCCs). Forty in-depth interviews with mothers of children under 5 years of age revealed positive attitudes towards vaccination that seem at odds with the region's observed low vaccination coverage. Important reasons for MCC non-attendance included distance to the MCC, transport costs, negative experiences at MCCs (such as interactions with unfriendly staff) and mothers' feeling of shame provoked by different, often poverty-associated reasons such as attending the clinic with a dirty or poorly clothed child.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Unit, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Lambaréné, Gabon.
authors.forename: Norbert G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Marjolein
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gysels
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pell
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gabor
authors.forename: Meike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schlie
authors.forename: Saadou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Issifou
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lell
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Kremsner
authors.forename: Martin P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Grobusch
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pool
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*