Knowledge and Attitude of Mothers Towards Childhood Vaccination in Taif, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Misconceptions and inadequate knowledge about vaccination represent an important barrier against adherence to vaccination schedules.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitude of mothers of children under five years of age with regard to standard childhood vaccination.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Taif Children’s Hospital (a subsidiary of the Ministry of Health), Saudi Arabia, among a sample of mothers of children aged below five years attending the hospital’s outpatient clinics during the study period of May-July 2021. A valid questionnaire was utilised for data collection, comprising demographic questions as well as an assessment of respondents’ knowledge and attitude towards childhood vaccination.

Results: The study included 397 mothers, more than half of whom (53.9%) were aged between 20 and 30 years. Overall, the total knowledge score ranged between 5 and 10, with an arithmetic mean of 9.03 and standard deviation of (± 1.25). Higher-educated mothers (university or above) were more knowledgeable about childhood vaccination than lesser-educated mothers (mean ranks were 200.44 and 123.35, respectively), p=0.020. Overall, the total score for attitude towards childhood vaccination ranged between 5 and 10, with an arithmetic mean of 9.15 and standard deviation of (± 0.48). Married mothers expressed a more positive attitude towards childhood vaccination than divorced mothers (mean ranks were 200.83 and 144.81, respectively), p=0.014.

Conclusion: The knowledge about, and attitude towards, childhood vaccination among mothers in Taif, Saudi Arabia are excellent. However, some misconceptions require correction