| Abstract |
Abstract
Background: The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) was developed to ensure
access of infant and children to recommended vaccines. In the Philippines, nurses are
deployed in the community to ensure that children in their assigned units are fully
immunized before they reach 1 year old. However, despite the various immunization
campaigns, many children still remain unprotected and at-risk to life-threatening vaccinepreventable diseases. Thus, identifying the barriers that have averted parents from adhering
to complete and timely immunization is important, most especially to nurses who are the
primary program implementers in the community.
Objective: This study chiefly aimed to determine the respondents芒聙聶 perceived barriers along
the aspects of Personal, Geographical and Social Barriers, Beliefs and Myths on
Immunization, and Knowledge and Awareness on EPI and their relationship to the
respondents芒聙聶 level of adherence to immunization.
Methods: Descriptive correlational design was used to explore the perceived barriers to
immunization and examine its relationship to the respondents芒聙聶 level of adherence. A
researcher-constructed questionnaire was used after being pilot tested to gather data from
352 random respondents.
Results: Using frequency counts, percentages, and weighted arithmetic mean, the results
showed that most of the respondents considered only geographical factors as barrier along
with social factors. Moreover, it has been found out that respondents lacked knowledge and
awareness on the benefits of immunization, the number of vaccines their child needs to
receive, site and schedule, side-effects, and contraindications. However, with mean above
2.34 indicated that respondents were informed on the appropriate interventions for sideeffects of vaccines, as well as their right to refuse vaccination. The respondents芒聙聶 over-all
level of adherence was moderate.
Conclusion: The identified barriers geographical, social, personal, beliefs and myths on
immunization and respondents芒聙聶 level of knowledge and awareness have influenced
respondents芒聙聶 level of adherence to a moderate level only. Based on the results, health care
providers, especially nurses, and other concerned program implementers need to consider
and address these barriers when formulating or improving strategies to increase
immunization compliance. Lastly, more intentional follow-up campaign drives in spreading
information about Expanded Program on Immunization using media and other ways is
needed.
KEYWORDS
barriers to immunization; expanded program on immunization; adherence to immunization |
Mindanao State
University - Iligan Institute of Technology