ABSTRACT

Pilla, Salve Regina N., Sarmiento, Molly L., Tobongbanua, Bea R., and Tririanes, Kevin M., "MATERNAL KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEFS TOWARDS CHILDHOOD
IMMUNIZATION IN BARANGAY STA. CRUZ, LIGAO CITY" (An Undergraduate Thesis, Aquinas University College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Rawis, Legazpi City, SY 2012-2013)

This study aimed to determine the maternal knowledge and beliefs towards childhood immunization in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Ligao City. Specifically, this study sought answers to the following questions: 1) What is the demographic profile of the mothers in terms of age, educational attainment, occupation, and monthly family income? 2) What is the level of knowledge of the respondents on childhood immunization in terms of benefits of immunization, indications and contraindications, and schedule of immunization? 3) What are the beliefs of mothers on childhood immunization? 4) What problems are encountered by the mothers during the immunization of their children? and 5) What measures may be proposed to enhance the knowledge of the mothers regarding childhood immunization?

This study is a descriptive type of research concerned with the description of data and characteristics about the population. The goal is the acquisition of factual, accurate and systematic data that can be used in averages, frequencies and similar statistical calculations. Interview schedule survey method in gathering data was utilized. The study was anchored on the Dorothea Orem's Self Care and Self Care Deficit Theory and Sister Callista Roy's Adaptation Theory to enable the researchers to weave the facts together. The gathered data were analyzed and interpreted with the use of frequency, percentage and ranking.

Based on the data gathered the following findings were elicited: 1) On the demographic profile of the respondents it was revealed that out of 30 respondents 8 or 26.66% belong to the age bracket of 26-28 years old. Majority of them were housewives, with a frequency of 26 or 86.66%, 9 or 30% were able to finish secondary level and 16 or 53.33% have 1,000-3,000 monthly family income. In view of the knowledge level of mothers on childhood immunization, the study shows that along the benefits of immunization, most of the respondents believed that immunization protects children from disease- causing agents and helps boost immunity with a frequency of 30 or 100%. Four or 13.33% of the respondents have lesser knowledge that boosters are necessary to keep a child's immunity up and for it to last longer. On the knowledge level of the respondents along the indications of immunization, it was revealed that most of the respondents knew that immunization can be given to a child who is malnourished, with a frequency of 21 or 70%. On the other hand, 25 or 83.33 % of the mothers did not know that vaccines could be given to a child with moderate fever or with temperature below 38.5°C. As to the contraindications of immunization, 27 or 90% of the respondents knew that vaccine schedules should not be restarted from the beginning even if interval between doses exceeded the recommended interval by months/ years. While, 17 or 56.66% did not know that DPT (2nd& 3"1 dose) to a child should not be given if convulsion or shock within 3 days the previous dose. Lastly, findings on the knowledge level of mothers on the schedule of immunization revealed that most of them were knowledgeable about BCG being given anytime at birth or after birth, DPT and OPV are given 3 doses with an interval of 4 weeks and anti- measles is given 9 months of age both with a frequency of 29 or 96.66%. However, 5 or 16.66% of them were unaware that that first dose of Hepatitis B is given at birth.

The topmost belief of the mothers on childhood immunization was that "vaccines can
protect children from the seven immunizable diseases" with a frequency of 24 and ranked as number one followed by the indicator "vaccines can enhance the knowledge of the children with 18 respondents who agreed to it but not a single one was found to believe that vaccines are not effective, ranked as last.

In line with the problems encountered by mothers on childhood immunization, it was revealed that the indicator "sick infant/ child" was the rank one problem encountered by 25 respondents. This is followed by lack of medical supplies ranked as number two and only one respondent said that she did not encounter any problem. Several measures were proposed to enhance the knowledge of the mothers regarding childhood immunization, these are: conduct of health teachings, trainings and seminars, intensive education campaign, poster and slogan making and information dissemination by distributing pamphlets, brochures, flyers and other information materials regarding childhood immunization.

Based on the findings, the following conclusions were drawn: 1) Majority of the respondents are on their early adulthood, housewives, attained secondary level of education and belong to the low income earners family. 2) The knowledge level of mothers on the benefits of immunization could be concluded that the respondents were very much aware that immunization protects children from disease- causing agents and it helps boost immunity but some of them have lesser knowledge that boosters are necessary to keep a child's immunity up and for it to last longer. On indications of immunization, most of the respondents knew that immunization can be given to a child who is malnourished, however a high percentage of mothers did not know that vaccines could be given to a child with moderate fever or with temperature below 38.5°C. As to the contraindications of immunization, majority of the respondents knew that vaccine schedules should not be restarted from the beginning even if interval between doses exceeded the recommended interval by months/ years. While, more than 50 percent of them did not know that DPT (2nd & 3rd dose) to a child should not be given if convulsion or shock within 3 days of the previous dose. Likewise, with regard the schedule of immunization, most of the mothers were aware that BCG is given anytime at birth or after birth, DPT and OPV are given 3 doses with an interval of 4 weeks and anti- measles is given at 9 months of age but few of them were unaware that that first dose of Hepatitis B is given at birth. Thorough analysis of the overall findings along the knowledge level of mothers on childhood immunization could be deduced that they are very much aware of the benefits and schedule of immunization, but there is a need for them to be further educated as to the indications and contraindications of immunization.

As to the beliefs of the mothers on immunization, majority of them believed that vaccines can protect children from the seven immunizable diseases and it can enhance the knowledge of children. Not a single was found to believe that vaccines are not effective. The main problem encountered by most mothers that hindered them from submitting their children for immunization was due to sickness followed by lack of medical supplies. Several measures to enhance the knowledge of the mothers regarding childhood immunization were proposed.
Based on the findings and conclusions, the following were recommended: 1) Given that majority of the respondents were on their early adulthood, housewives, attained secondary level of education only and belong to the low income earners family, it is highly recommended that health care workers provide more information on responsible parenthood in relation to childhood immunization. 2) On findings that mothers are less knowledgeable in line with the indications and contraindications of immunization, health education is likewise essential. However, the health care providers responsible in educating them must be well-equipped with knowledge and skills, particularly the midwives and barangay health workers who serve as the forefronts in the promotion of health in community setting. The City Health Office should see to it that their health care providers have undergone, trainings and seminars to efficiently and competently educate the mothers pertaining immunization. 3) Since majority of the mothers believe vaccines can protect children from the seven immunizable diseases and it can enhance the knowledge of children, further knowledge regarding immunization could also be made available through distribution of Information Education Communication (IEC) materials such as pamphlets, brochures and other information materials. Posting slogans on strategic places is likewise helpful. 4) In view of the result that sick infant/child emerged as the main problem encountered by most mothers for not submitting their children to have immunization; mothers/parents classes or focus group discussion may be appropriate. Health educators should provide all the pros and cons of immunization with emphasis on the effects of immunization and should be clearly discussed to the mothers at the level they could easily comprehend. 5) All proposed measures are highly recommended to be carried out by the health care providers for effective promotion of childhood immunization, thereby increase the percentage of fully immunized children.