The perceptions of carers regarding non-adherence to immunisation schedule

Date
2016-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Kinder-immunisasie is ‘n belangrike ingryping om die aantal kindersterftes te verminder. Die Uitgebreide Program oor Immunisering word dus in Suid Afrika gebruik om kindersterftes te help voorkom. Alhoewel immunisasie-dekking in Suid Afrika effektief blyk te wees, presenteer die Wes-Kaap met ‘n hoё terugvalsyfer. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die persepsies van versorgers met betrekking tot nie-nakoming aan die immuniseringsprogram te verken. ’n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp, met ’n fenomenologiese benadering was tydens hierdie studie toegepas. Die studie het van ‘n doelgerigte steekproef gebruik gemaak om die versorgers van kinders, woonagtig in die Oostelike sub-distrik van Kaapstad, te selekteer. Die navorser het van ‘n semi-gestruktureerde onderhoudsriglyn gebruik gemaak, wat na aanleiding van die doelstellings van die studie ontwerp is. Die onderhoudsriglyn is deur die promotor en mede-promotor van die studie gevalideer. Die Etiekkomitee van die fakulteit van Gesondheidswetenskappe, Universiteit van Stellenbosch, het vergunning vir die uitvoering van hierdie studie verleen, terwyl die Wes-Kaapse Stadsgesondheid toestemming vir die beplande onderhoude by die onderskeie klinieke gegee het. Skriftelike toestemming is van elke deelnemer, voor aanvangs van die onderhoud tydens die studie verkry. Vier temas het vanuit die studie-uitkomstes, rakende die moontlike redes vir nie-nakoming aan die voorgestelde immuniseringskedule deur versorgers van babas voortgespruit, naamlik toeganklikheid van klinieke, kennis van ouers, ander verantwoordelikhede en die houding van personeel. Die bevindings van die studie het die Strategiese Adviserende Groep van Kundiges se raamwerk ondersteun, naamlik dat veelvuldige faktore die huiwering rakende entstof kan beїnvloed, byvoorbeeld sosio-kultureel, omgewings, gesondheidsisteme, of institusioneel. Die studie het tot die slotsom gekom dat die gebrek aan gesondheidsorgopvoeding, geweld en sosio-ekonomiese faktore die nie-nakoming aan die immuniseringsprogram sterk beïnvloed het. Verdere navorsing word aanbeveel ten einde die insette van deelnemers vanaf `n breër sosio-ekonomiese agtergrond in die Wes-Kaap te bekom.
ENGLISH SUMMARY : Child immunization is an important intervention to reduce the number of childhood deaths. The Expanded Programme on Immunization is therefore being utilized in South Africa to help prevent childhood deaths. Although immunization coverage appears to be effective in South Africa, the Western Cape presents with a high default rate. The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of carers regarding non-adherence to the immunization schedule. A qualitative research design, with a phenomenological approach was applied during this study. This study made use of a focused sample to select the carers of children, residing in the Eastern sub-district of Cape Town. The researcher made use of a semi-structured interview guideline that had been designed, based upon the objectives of the study. This interview guideline was validated by the supervisor and co-supervisor of the study. The Ethics committee at the faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, granted their permission to perform this study, while the Western Cape’s City Health also gave permission to do the planned interviews at the respective clinics. Written consent was obtained from each participant, before conducting the interview during this study. Four themes emerged from the outcomes of this study with regards to the possible reasons for non-adherence to the recommended immunization schedule by carers of babies, i.e. accessibility of clinics, parental knowledge, other responsibilities and staff attitudes. The findings of the study supported the framework of The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts, stating that vaccine hesitancy can be influenced by multiple factors, such as socio-cultural, environmental, health systems, or institutional. The study concluded that the lack of healthcare education, crime and socio-economic factors strongly influenced non-adherence to the immunization schedule. Further research is recommended to include the input from participants from a wider socio-economic background in the Western Cape.
Description
Thesis (MCur)--Stellenbosch University, 2016.
Keywords
Immunization, Immunization of infants -- South Africa -- Western Cape, UCTD, Caregivers
Citation