Parents' Knowledge and Attitudes About Immunization in India

Author

Anne George, Utah State University

Date of Award:

5-2004

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Human Development and Family Studies

Department name when degree awarded

Family, Consumer, and Human Development

Committee Chair(s)

Shelley L. Knudsen Lindauer

Committee

Shelley L. Knudsen Lindauer

Committee

Randall M. Jones

Committee

Kathleen W. Piercy

Committee

Thomas R. Lee

Committee

Scott DeBerard

Abstract

Childhood immunization is acknowledged as being a crucial health intervention for children. Immunization rates of children may vary depending on their parents' knowledge and attitudes about the issue. The focus of this study is on parents' knowledge and attitudes about immunization, and employs Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory. A questionnaire was administered to 233 parents in India to explore the issues of parental immunization knowledge and attitudes. Correlates of parental knowledge and attitudes that were explored included gender, education, respondents' immunization status, and children's immunization status. Sources of parental knowledge about immunization were also examined. Overall, parents in this sample had a high level of awareness and positive attitudes about immunization. Parents' knowledge about immunization was correlated with their attitudes on immunization. Gender was correlated with parents' knowledge about immunization, but not their attitudes, with females having greater awareness about immunization than males. Parental education, parental immunization status, and children's immunization status were positively correlated with both knowledge and attitudes about immunization. Doctors and health care settings were the major sources of information about immunization for parents in this sample. Implications for research, policy, and education are discussed.

Checksum

e5d2e2845c8dc46f698eb9378f6a32bb

Recommended Citation

George, Anne, "Parents' Knowledge and Attitudes About Immunization in India" (2004). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 2634.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/2634