Vol. 4, Issue 1, Part A (2022)

Immunization is unquestionably one of the most indispensable public health interventions to reduce major illnesses that lead to child mortality and morbidity. The extermination, elimination, and considerable minimization of childhood vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), as well as the extending of life expectancy in many countries, are an important output of immunization achievement. The aim of this study to determine the impact of education on knowledge, perception and practice about childhood vaccination among the parents of under five children. Through quantitative survey approach and pre-experimental design, the 50 samples were selected by purposive sampling method. Initially, personal information was obtained from mothers and then 20 Questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, Checklist was used to assess the practice of childhood vaccination and Five-point Rating scale was used to assess the attitude of childhood vaccination among parents. Education about childhood vaccination was given through video assisted teaching. The results of the study was in awareness the total mean score for pre-test was 4.18±1.71, whereas in post-test it was 18.56±0.76 with the mean difference of 14.38. It shows that parents had very good knowledge on childhood vaccination after Educational programme. In perception the overall mean score during pre-test was 1.36±0.69, and in post-test the overall mean score obtained by parents was 5.46±0.54, with the mean difference of 4.1 it reveals that the parents had highly favourable attitude after an educational programme. For practice the pre-test the mean score was 9.88±3.93, whereas in post-test it was 38.56±1.96, with the mean difference of 28.68. The calculated ‘t’ value for awareness, perception and practice scores were 7.05, 8.23 & 8.14 at 0.05 level respectively. There was no association between knowledge, perception and practice scores with selected demographic variables. Most of parents in KSA believed that vaccines can cause autism and disabilities. Moreover, some parents thought that polio immunization will decrease the fertility rate thus the parents attitude plays important role in vaccination process as they are the decision makers for their children.