BMC Public Health
Volume 15, Issue 1, 2015, Pages 1-8

Vaccination decision-making of immigrant parents in the Netherlands; A focus group study Health behavior, health promotion and society (Article) (Open Access)

Harmsen I.A.* , Bos H. , Ruiter R.A.C. , Paulussen T.G.W. , Kok G. , De Melker H.E. , Mollema L.
  • a National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Disease Control, P.O. Box 1 3720, Bilthoven, BA, Netherlands, Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, MD, 6200, Netherlands
  • b National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Disease Control, P.O. Box 1 3720, Bilthoven, BA, Netherlands, Department of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University of Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085-1087, Amsterdam, HV, 1081, Netherlands
  • c Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, MD, 6200, Netherlands
  • d TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research), Healthy Living, Wassenaarseweg 56, Leiden, AL, NL-2333, Netherlands
  • e Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, MD, 6200, Netherlands
  • f National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Disease Control, P.O. Box 1 3720, Bilthoven, BA, Netherlands
  • g National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Disease Control, P.O. Box 1 3720, Bilthoven, BA, Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Although the vaccination coverage in most high income countries is high, variations in coverage rates on the national level among different ethnic backgrounds are reported. A qualitative study was performed to explore factors that influence decision-making among parents with different ethnic backgrounds in the Netherlands. Methods: Six focus groups were conducted with 33 mothers of Moroccan, Turkish and other ethnic backgrounds with at least one child aged 0-4 years. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Parents had a positive attitude towards childhood vaccination and a high confidence in the advices of Child Vaccine Providers (CVPs). Vaccinating their children was perceived as self-evident and important. Parents do perceive a language barrier in understanding the provided NIP-information, and they had a need for more NIP- information, particularly about the targeted diseases. Another barrier parents perceived was the distance to the Child Welfare Center (CWC), especially when the weather was bad and when they had no access to a car. Conclusion: More information about targeted diseases and complete information regarding benefits and drawbacks of the NIP should be provided to the parents. To fulfill parents' information needs, NIP information meetings can be organized at CWCs in different languages. Providing NIP information material in Turkish, Arabic and Berber language with easy access is also recommended. Providing information tailored to these parents' needs is important to sustain high vaccination participation, and to ensure acceptance of future vaccinations. © 2015 Harmsen et al.

Author Keywords

Childhood vaccination Non-western Decision-making ethnic background

Index Keywords

information processing Parents Netherlands perception longitudinal study human Longitudinal Studies Ethnic Groups ethnic group qualitative research Humans migrant Infant, Newborn male Emigrants and Immigrants preschool child female Infant Child, Preschool newborn Mothers mother adult vaccination decision making attitude to health Focus Groups parent
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84949908339&doi=10.1186%2fs12889-015-2572-x&partnerID=40&md5=740b7d83529c09632d699e51130b876d
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2572-x
ISSN: 14712458
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English