title: Parental Attitudes and Factors Associated With Varicella Vaccination in Preschool and Schoolchildren in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study.
abstract: This study investigates parental attitudes and factors associated with varicella vaccination among preschool and schoolchildren prior to introduction of the vaccine into Hong Kong's universal Childhood Immunization Program.Fourteen kindergartens and 5 primary schools in Hong Kong were randomly selected in 2013. Parents of the students were invited to answer the self-administered questionnaires. Acquired information included demographic characteristics and socioeconomic statuses of families, children's history of chickenpox infection and vaccination, and reasons for getting children vaccinated. Logistic regression was applied to examine the factors associated with vaccination.From the 3484 completed questionnaires, the calculated rates of varicella infection and vaccination were 20.7% and 69.0%, respectively. Barriers to vaccination included parental uncertainties about vaccine effectiveness, lack of recommendation from the government, and concerns on adverse effects. Overall, 71.8%, 69.0%, and 45.7% of the parents rated family doctors, specialists, and the government, respectively, as very important motivators of vaccination. Higher parental educational level and family income, better perceived knowledge of varicella and chance of infection, discussion with a family doctor, and positive health belief towards vaccination were associated with vaccination (all P < 0.05).The rate of vaccination in Hong Kong was higher than that of some other countries that also did not include the vaccine in their routine immunization programs. More positive parental attitudes, higher socioeconomic status, and discussion with a family doctor are associated with greater vaccination rates. The important roles that health professionals and the government play in promoting varicella vaccination were emphasized.
authors.affiliation: From the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore (WWST); Department of Paediatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong (JC); JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (KKHL, AL); Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (PKSC); Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Diseases (DC); and Department of Pediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (EASN).
authors.forename: Wilson W S
authors.initials: WWS
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Kenneth K H
authors.initials: KKH
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Paul K S
authors.initials: PKS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: E Anthony S
authors.initials: EAS
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data