Vaccination among youth: Results from a national survey
Howard, Janet
2020
Abstract
Background: Vaccines are developed to stimulate a person’s immune system to produce immunity to specific disease thus providing protection from a particular disease. Reasons that parents have provided for refusal to vaccinate are religious reasons, philosophical or personal beliefs, safety concerns, and desire for additional education. The most common reason parents give for refusal to vaccinate are safety concerns with regard to any short or long term adverse effects. As of December 31, 2019, 3.4% of school-aged children had parents who waived their use of vaccines and while this may not seem like a large number, this is enough to cause an outbreak of an infectious disease that could be prevented with vaccination. The study focuses on socio-demographic factors, breastfeeding, and vaccination among youth in a national survey. Methods: The method used is a phone survey conducted by the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The survey is used to collect data on vaccination coverage rates for child aged 19 -35 months and 13 – 17 years. The surveys are conducted in all 50 states as well as the District of Colombia and some of the U.S. territories. The survey has changed in recent years from using landline phone numbers to mobile telephone numbers. The parent/guardian’s mobile telephone number is randomly selected and then calls are placed in order to enroll into the study one or more age-eligible child or teen that lives in the household. Consent is obtained from the parent/guardian to contact the child’s vaccine provider in order to obtain exact information regarding the type of vaccine, number of doses administered, date(s) of administration, and other administrative data about the health care facility. A questionnaire is mailed to the vaccine provider to obtain this information. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention provided information on any and exclusive breastfeeding, race/ethnicity, and poverty income ratio, among children born in 2016. Results: The results of the survey showed that approximately 42% of the children were up-to-date on vaccinations. The majority of respondents were breastfed, non-Hispanic white, and above poverty level (at or above $75,000). The majority of Hispanic, non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and those of 2 or more races children surveyed were all determined to have been breastfed at some point in infancy but not exclusively breastfed. When looking at whether a child was ever breastfed or exclusively breastfed and poverty income ratio, it was determined that the majority of children were ever breastfed and came from a household with a poverty income ratio of 600 or greater. When it comes to children who are ever breastfed or exclusively breastfed by looking at race/ethnicity or poverty income level, we can conclude that the largest percentage of children who are ever breastfed or who are exclusively breastfed through 6 months of age are of non-Hispanic Asian ethnicity. Conclusion: The vast majorities of children were up-to-date on their vaccinations, of non-Hispanic ethnicity, were breastfed, and were at or above poverty level. It can also be concluded that children who are ever breastfed are in the upper class income level and that children who are exclusively breastfed through 6 months of age. Children who are in families who are in the poverty level are the least likely to be breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months of life. Asians tended to have an increased likelihood for breastfeeding and lessons can be learnt from this racial/ethnic group on promoting breastfeeding among other groups. The information gained in this study enables the public health sector to determine what areas need improvement when it comes to public health policies and/or practices to ensure that every child has access to vaccinations. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the public health sector needs to focus its practices on educating families on the importance of breastfeeding and vaccinations for children. The more education that people have in regards to something the more likely they are to participate in an activity. Interventions are also needed to promote simultaneous education on the importance of both breastfeeding and vaccinations (not only one of the two). Interventions that promote both breastfeeding and vaccinations may focus on offering written, audio and video educational materials for parents of different literacy levels and cultural/religious groups.Subjects
breastfeeding vaccination Socio-demographic factors
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