Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Iraqi Parents Regarding the Issues of Vaccinating their Children

Authors

• Taqi Mohammed Jwad Taher, Family and Community Medicine Department/College of Medicine/Wasit University, IraqFollow
• Rami Bahaa Saadi, College of Medicine, Wasit University, IraqFollow
• Rand Sadik Al Radhy, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, TürkiyeFollow
• Mohanad Aljama, Wasit Health Directorate, Al-Zaharaa Teaching HospitalFollow
• Houreleen H Salman, Baghdad Medical City, Ministry of Health, Baghdad, IraqFollow
• Mayameen H Salman, Baghdad Medical City, Ministry of Health, Baghdad, IraqFollow
• Mustafa Sabeeh Lafta Zubaidi, College of Medicine, Wasit University, IraqFollow
• Shaymaa Abdul Lateef Al-fadhul, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kufa, Kufa, IraqFollow
• Mohammed Firas Turki, College of Medicine, Wasit University, IraqFollow
• Hasanain Faisal Ghazi, College of Nursing, Al-Bayan University, Baghdad, IraqFollow

Article Type

Article

Abstract

Background: Children's vaccination can help in the prevention and protection against various fatal illnesses. Aims: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of both parents toward their children's vaccinations. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical study of Iraqi parents in Wasit province. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires that were developed from published research and adapted according to local culture. Data was collected from three primary health care centres in Kut City, Wasit province, for 255 parents who visited centres with their children for any reason from the first of April 2023 to the thirteenth of July 2023. Results: Mothers had a significantly higher mean than fathers, considering their belief that vaccination strengthens the immune system (84.72 ± 17.001 versus 80.00 ± 13.631), (P = 0.034). In terms of safety, the mothers reported a significantly higher mean than fathers in their knowledge that their child should develop immunity by getting sick rather than by getting vaccinated (74.31) versus (53.33), (P < 0.001). Concerning reasons, mothers reported a significantly higher mean than fathers in believing that there is no alternative way to protect children from infection other than vaccination (29.17) versus (21.67), (P = 0.027). Considering hesitancy, mothers showed significantly more concern about the serious adverse effects of vaccines, and the newer vaccines are not as safe as older vaccines (P = 0.019), (P = 0.011), respectively. Conclusion: Parents were unaware of some important aspects regarding vaccinations, like safety knowledge, and the reasons for their attitude, although they had acceptable practice and behaviour toward vaccinations.

Keywords

Routine schedule, Immunisation, Parents' knowledge, Practice, Barriers

Recommended Citation

Taher, Taqi Mohammed Jwad; Saadi, Rami Bahaa; Radhy, Rand Sadik Al; Aljama, Mohanad; Salman, Houreleen H; Salman, Mayameen H; Zubaidi, Mustafa Sabeeh Lafta; Al-fadhul, Shaymaa Abdul Lateef; Turki, Mohammed Firas; and Ghazi, Hasanain Faisal (2026) "Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Iraqi Parents Regarding the Issues of Vaccinating their Children," Muthanna Medical Journal: Vol. 13: Iss. 2, Article 14.
Available at: https://muthmj.mu.edu.iq/journal/vol13/iss2/14

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.