Why Parents Choose Not to Vaccinate: a qualitative study in hazratbal area of Srinagar.

Dr. Tanzeela Bashir Qazi; Dr. Rifat Jan; Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan

Volume : X, Issue : VI, June - 2020

Why Parents Choose Not to Vaccinate: a qualitative study in hazratbal area of Srinagar.

Dr. Tanzeela Bashir Qazi, Dr. Rifat Jan, Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan

Abstract :

Background: Immunization is considered as one of the key interventions for protection of children against life threatening conditions that are preventable. Most of the children today receive lifesaving vaccines. Objectives: This study aims to identify the perceived barriers to immunization among parents who have chosen not to have their children immunized and addressing these barriers with communication intervention. Material and methods: It was a qualitative study that was conducted in subcentre area of hazratbal from March 2019 to July 2019. In–depth interview was conducted with the parents with the aim to identify the barrriers to immunization using a semi structured questionnaire. In–depth interviews were transcribed verbatim. Communication intervention was carried out with the parents and the number of sessions held were three in number. Results : Interviews were completed with seven parents. Parents discussed their perception of immunization and childhood diseases and the risk–benefit analysis that occurred between the two. Majority (71.4%) of the parents identified the risk of side effects as a reason for choosing not to immunize. Communication interventions adopted in the study includes two main strategies: to inform and educate parents about benefits of immunization and later on to remind and recall them for upcoming vaccination of their children. Conclusion: Most of the parents were of the view that there is a high chance of Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) and hence had chosen not to immunize their children. Communication intervention was done and all of them turned up for their next scheduled immunization of their children.