Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: September | Volume: 10 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 454-459
A Study on Perception and Attitude of Mothers Regarding Pentavalent Vaccine in District Amritsar, Punjab
Satpreet Kaur1, Vandna2
1Nursing Officer, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh
2Associate Professor, University College of Nursing, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, Punjab
Corresponding Author: Satpreet Kaur
ABSTRACT
Background: Immunization is considered as one of the most important public health interventions to control the vaccine preventable diseases especially in children. The advent of combination vaccines significantly reduced the volume of the immunization activities by reducing the number of injections, amount of pain and also the cumulative exposure to preservatives and stabilizers which may contribute to various and severe adverse effects. Pentavalent vaccine protects against five major killer diseases- diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and hemophilus influenza type B (Hib). This pentavalent vaccine has been introduced in almost all the GAVI eligible countries by 2011and it was launched in Punjab on 7th January 2015.
Method: Focussed group discussion was conducted with mothers in six areas i.e. Mustafabad, Ranjit Avenue, Kaler, Bhakna Kalan, Lopoke and Majitha. One group was chosen from each area comprising of 8-12 members with duration of each discussion lasting for about 45 minutes to one hour. Framed questions were introduced to the participants. A total of 52 mothers were interviewed.
Results: Majority of the mothers i.e. 41 mothers (78.9%) had no knowledge about the pentavalent vaccine while only 11 mothers (21.1%) had just heard. Majority of the source of information was provided by ANM’s and ASHA workers, accounted for 13%, whereas the Immunization cards counted for 6% and Doctors contributed only 4%. Only 12% of the mothers were told that their child would be administered a new vaccine. Out of all, only 8 mothers knew that fever could be one of the side effects. 85% of the mothers had no knowledge regarding side effects of the pentavalent vaccine. 69% felt that vaccine would come in handy as only one prick or injection would be require for providing immunity against the five killer diseases. On the other hand 31% still confused and did not comment anything. 94% of mothers had developed a positive attitude for pentavalent vaccine where 6% of the mother again did not want to comment anything. 40 mothers (77%) wanted to recommend others to get their child vaccinated. Not even a single mother complaint of any barrier related to the routine immunization sessions in all the selected areas where the study was conducted.
Conclusion: On inclusion of pentavalent vaccine in the National Immunization schedule, it becomes a vital part of the government’s policy to train health care workers for community mobilization. Continuous and sincere efforts are needed by the government so as to form a comprehensive strategy in order to bring effective changes in the attitude and knowledge of mothers regarding the use of pentavalent vaccine.
Key words: Pentavalent vaccine, Perception, Attitude, Haemophilus Influenza type B, Mothers, GAVI