Vaccination Status of Hospitalized Children for Measles: Parental Vaccination Refusal and Related Factors

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the vaccination status of the children who received inpatient treatment due to measles disease and explored the beliefs and practices of their parents related to the refusal of childhood vaccines.
METHODS: This study is a descriptive research performed at a training and research hospital in eastern Turkey. The study data were collected through the parents of children with measles who were receiving inpatient treatment. In the study, the introductory information form and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory were used.
RESULTS: The results revealed that 61.8% of the children with measles were not vaccinated against measles. Factors that played a role in the parents' vaccine refusal included family elders' unwillingness, negative media reports, side effects of vaccines, and negative attitudes of health care workers. Parents with poor socioeconomic status, low educational status, and extended family types were found to have significantly higher rates of vaccine refusal. The parents had an average state anxiety score of 60.15 ± 5.73 and an average trait anxiety score of 50.21 ± 3.33.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Many factors were found to influence the causes of parents not having their children vaccinated. Community-based training is needed to address the parents’ misconceptions, concerns, and lack of knowledge about vaccination. Renewing the policies on vaccination, establishing standards, and imposing legal sanctions can be effective in reducing vaccine refusal rates.