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Parental Knowledge about Meningococcal Disease and Vaccination Uptake among 0–5 years Old Polish Children

Author

Listed:
  • Marzena Drozd-Dąbrowska

    (Department of Epidemiology and Management, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin 71-210, Poland)

  • Katarzyna Topczewska

    (Department of Epidemiology and Management, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin 71-210, Poland)

  • Marcin Korzeń

    (Department of Methods of Artificial Intelligence & Applied Mathematics, Westpomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin 71-210, Poland)

  • Anna Sałacka

    (Department of Family Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin 70-204, Poland)

  • Maria Ganczak

    (Department of Epidemiology and Management, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin 71-210, Poland)

Abstract

In Poland, in addition to mandatory, free of charge vaccines, listed in the national immunization schedule, numerous self-paid vaccinations are recommended, including meningococcal vaccination (MV). To assess MV uptake among ≤5-year-old children and to evaluate parental knowledge and attitudes regarding invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 among 350 parents (mean age: 32.3 years), attending three randomly selected primary care clinics in Szczecin region, Poland. Anonymous questionnaires were administered to the parents by researchers, present at the time the survey was conducted, to self-complete on a voluntary basis. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact for categorical and Mann–Whitney U test for continuous variables. Variables significantly ( p < 0.05) associated with ‘good knowledge’ in the bivariate analysis were used to build a logistic regression model. It was found that the response rate was 93.4%, and MV uptake among children was 29.5%. The main knowledge sources were medical staff and media; 72.5% had ever received information about IMD. Only 18.8% of parents self-assessed their knowledge regarding IMD as good; 61.8% scored >50% in the knowledge test 58.9% knew the mode of transmission, 58.7% recognized the severity of meningitis, and 79.7% knew that bacterial meningitis is a vaccine-preventive disease. Knowledge regarding IMD was higher among parents with higher educational level (OR = 3.37; p = 0.01), from urban facilities (OR = 2.20; p = 0.02), who received previous information about IMD (OR = 2.85; p = 0.01) and self-assessed their knowledge as good (OR = 2.59; p = 0.04). Low MV coverage among children up to five years old and knowledge gaps about IMD call for awareness campaigns which may increase the coverage. Although educational interventions should cover all parents, those from provincial facilities, representing lower education level need special attention.

Suggested Citation

  • Marzena Drozd-Dąbrowska & Katarzyna Topczewska & Marcin Korzeń & Anna Sałacka & Maria Ganczak, 2019. "Parental Knowledge about Meningococcal Disease and Vaccination Uptake among 0–5 years Old Polish Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:2:p:265-:d:198767
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mariëtte B van Ravenhorst & Gerco den Hartog & Fiona R M van der Klis & Debbie M van Rooijen & Elisabeth A M Sanders & Guy A M Berbers, 2018. "Induction of salivary antibody levels in Dutch adolescents after immunization with monovalent meningococcal serogroup C or quadrivalent meningococcal serogroup A, C, W and Y conjugate vaccine," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(4), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Maria Ganczak & Barbara Owsianka & Marcin Korzeń, 2018. "Factors that Predict Parental Willingness to Have Their Children Vaccinated against HPV in a Country with Low HPV Vaccination Coverage," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-13, March.
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