New Zealand mothers' knowledge of and attitudes towards immunisation

Abstract

Aim: To identify parental knowledge and concerns about immunisation. Method: A random walk methodology was used to identify households containing mothers of young children willing to participate in the survey. This sample pool was supplemented from a database of similar households. Results: There were 500 participants from national urban areas. It was found that one in eight of all mothers interviewed were not convinced that vaccination prevents disease, or that measles can be a severe disease. Furthermore there is a high level of misconception about the cause, transmission and prevention of disease. Other significant findings were that immunisation is not always routinely discussed by Lead Maternity Caregivers (LMCs) especially withholder mothers. Implications/Conclusion: The results of this survey indicate that the low level of confidence among urban New Zealand mothers over vaccination may be in itself sufficient to prevent New Zealand’s target vaccine uptake rate of 95% from being achieved.