Reasons for non-compliance of mothers to immunization schedule of children exposed to HIV

Abstract

We aimed to describe the knowledge of HIV seropositive mother on the children immunization schedule and know the reasons for their non-compliance to the children immunization schedule. This is a descriptive study with qualitative approach carried out in the outpatient clinic of a public institution, in Fortaleza-CE, Brazil. The subjects were 16 mothers or caregivers of children up to two years of age exposed to HIV/AIDS. Data collection happened through semi-structured interviews conducted from January to March 2012. Two categories emerged from the analysis: Lack of knowledge of mother about special immunization schedule for children with HIV and Reasons for non-compliance to special immunization schedule. Mothers presented poor knowledge, fear and disinterest in the information on the disease and preventive measures, as well as the difficulties faced. Health professionals should promote strategies with these mothers seeking integration, commitment and comprehension of the importance of immunization in children.

Barriers and facilitators to vaccination in Latin America: a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies

“…Vaccination was widely recognized as an effective strategy for preventing contagious diseases at the individual and collective levels 8 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , and several participants reported perceiving vaccination as important to public health because it protected children and helped them avoid disease later in life 8 , 29 , 30 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 46 . Some participants stated that vaccines could cure diseases 38 .…”

“…Participants highlighted aspects related to the lack of guidance on vaccination and post-vaccination, revealing situations in which professionals’ knowledge was below the desired level to provide guidance 28 , 34 , 37 , 47 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 56 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , in which vaccines were administered without discussion between health professionals and individuals 40 , and in which misinformation was widely disseminated 35 , 37 , 52 , 54 , 65 . In particular, participants often underestimated the prevalence of the target disease 28 , 66 and lacked knowledge about HPV and the vaccine 37 , 58 , 67 , 68 , 69 . Most mothers were unaware of the difference between special vaccines and those available to the general population, also revealing limited knowledge of basic pediatric vaccination 28 .…”

“…In particular, participants often underestimated the prevalence of the target disease 28 , 66 and lacked knowledge about HPV and the vaccine 37 , 58 , 67 , 68 , 69 . Most mothers were unaware of the difference between special vaccines and those available to the general population, also revealing limited knowledge of basic pediatric vaccination 28 .…”

“…Religion can also act as a barrier to some vaccines, particularly in rural areas or among indigenous populations, because of beliefs that health is related to God’s will, that the target disease is caused by supernatural forces that cannot be affected by a vaccine, or that if one’s ancestors survived without a vaccine, it is unnecessary now 8 , 28 , 35 , 38 , 69 , 73 , 79 , 80 . Indigenous groups perceived that vaccination had a hidden objective of harming them by causing disease and/or sterilizing them, benefiting extractive industries in retaliation for protests 40 , 79 , or that the vaccine was the mark of the devil 79 .…”

“…A common barrier to vaccination against sexually transmitted diseases or diseases perceived to be associated with sexual behavior is stigma 28 , 30 , 53 , 78 , 81 . Cervical cancer was associated with isolation resulting from beliefs about its association with HPV and about it being a sign of sexual promiscuity 53 .…”