title: Parental and societal support for adolescent immunization through school based immunization programs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Adolescent immunizations such as human papillomavirus vaccine have been implemented through school based immunization programs (SBIPs) in Australia. We assessed community attitudes toward immunization of adolescents though SBIPs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional population survey of rural and metropolitan households in South Australia in 2011. Univariate and multiple regression analyses identified predictors of support for a SBIP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participation rate was 57.3% with 1926 adults interviewed. Overall, 75.9% regarded school as the best place to offer adolescent immunizations, with 16.4% preferring the family physician. Parents of high school students were most supportive (88.4%) of a SBIP with 87.9% of their adolescents reported as having participated in the program. Adults 18-34 years (79.4%) were more likely to support a SBIP compared to older adults (68.7% of >55 years) [adjusted OR=2.39, p=0.002] and men were more supportive (80.3%) than women (71.7%) [adjusted OR=1.54, p=0.003]. Reasons for participation in the SBIP included convenience (39.9%), public funding for the service (32.4%), and confidence in immunization recommendations (21.0%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public support for the SBIP was very high particularly amongst parents whose adolescent/s had participated in the program.
authors.affiliation: Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Helen.marshall@adelaide.edu.au
authors.forename: Helen S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tooher
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
authors.forename: S Rachel
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ashmeade
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Braunack-Mayer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D008297:Male; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000523:psychology*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010290:Parents; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D012574:Schools; D012944:Social Support; D013021:South Australia; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines