title: Assessment of attitudes towards adverse events following immunization with oral poliovirus vaccine: a pilot study among high school students of Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the reaction of students to adverse events following immunization in order to offer a baseline for developing a communication and risk management plan.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Kinshasa. A survey was conducted between the third and the fourth rounds of Supplementary Immunization Activity. Nine hundred and fifty questionnaires were used and addressed students who attended this university from 1 to 10 June 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Completed questionnaires were received from 848 students, with 485 females (57·2%), 343 males (40·4%), and 20 unknown (2·4%); 46·9% of students were from the faculty of medicine and 24·7% was from the third graduate degree. From those who completed the questionnaire, 136 (16·4%) reported experiencing an adverse events following immunization. Concerning the attitude of students towards adverse events following immunization, 79 students (58·5%) did nothing; 54 (40·0%) opted for self-medication; 2 (1·5%) went to the hospital.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The main finding of our study is the low rate of people referring to health-care providers for vaccine-related problems, more specially for adverse events following immunization. A risk management plan should be focused in strategies to increase communication between population and health-care providers.
authors.forename: Léon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kinuani
authors.forename: Didier Bomene
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Nzolo
authors.forename: Michel Ntetani
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Aloni
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Makolo
authors.forename: Nsengi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ntamabyaliro
authors.forename: Yves Lula
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Ntamba
authors.forename: Crispin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kazadi
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nyembwe
authors.forename: Mathilde Bothale
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Ekila
authors.forename: Gauthier Kahunu
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Mesia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011055:Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011055:Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral
keywords: Adverse events following immunization (AEFI),; Africa; Attitude,; Democratic Republic of Congo,; Kinshasa,; Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV),; Student,