Knowledge, attitude, and beliefs towards acceptability of Expanded Program of Immunization among parents of under 5 children residing in Rural Islamabad

Abstract

Objectives: • To measure knowledge, attitude, and beliefs towards acceptability of Expanded Program of Immunization among parents of under 5 children residing in Rural Islamabad. • To measure association of Parents’ knowledge, attitude, and beliefs with acceptability of the Expanded Program of Immunization among parents of under 5 children residing in Rural Islamabad. Methodology: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study was carried out over a period of six months from March 2023 to August 2023 to assess Knowledge, attitude, and beliefs towards acceptability of Expanded Program of Immunization among parents of under 5 children residing in Rural Islamabad. Calculated sample size was 269.Using lottery method of simple random probability sampling technique, one zone of Islamabad was selected for the study, Sihala. Sihala is situated in Zone 5. Desired sample from Sihala was collected using non-probability consecutive sampling strategy. Data was collected using a validated and interview-based questionnaire. The Vaccine Attitude Belief Behavior Survey (VABBS) tool was adapted for this study. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26. Association between parents’ knowledge, attitude and beliefs and acceptability of EPI were calculated using Chi- Square test of association after confirming the assumptions. Results: The results of the study reported significant association of father`s age (p value=0.001), father`s education(p-value=0.001),mother`s age(p-value=0.001), mother`s occupation (p-value= 0.044), mother`s education(p-value=0.0001), xiii household income(p-value=0.0001),family composition (p-value=(0.046),number and gender of children(p-value=0.0001) with knowledge, attitude, and beliefs towards acceptability of Expanded Program of Immunization among parents. Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors such as father`s age and education, mother`s age and education, household income, family composition, number and gender of children were significantly associated with their knowledge, attitude and beliefs towards vaccination. Results emphasized the pivotal role of education in influencing parental perspectives. Financial constraints influence access to healthcare services. Ensuring affordability and accessibility of vaccination services could help improve acceptance rates. Keywords: Expanded Program on Immunization, Vaccine acceptability, Vaccine coverage, Parents knowledge, Parents beliefs, Parents`s attitude, Childhood immunization.