Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1990. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-62).

Magister Public Health - MPH / This study sought to explore and describe factors that influence parents’ decisions on childhood immunizations at Kumasi Metropolis in Ghana. Based on the Health Belief Model used as the theoretical framework guiding this study, immunization decision making is influenced by one’s knowledge on immunizations, perception on immunizations and sociodemographic factors. With an exploratory descriptive quantitative cross-sectional survey, a sample of 303 parents was obtained from five district hospitals in Kumasi metropolis. This was done through convenience sampling of participants at immunization sessions. Structured questionnaires were developed in line with the study’s objectives, literature review and theoretical framework. Data obtained from the survey were analysed with the computer-based facility of SPSS version 21 software. This enhanced the application of descriptive and inferential measures to present the results in graphs and tables. Findings from the study showed that most parents were aware of immunization but had limited knowledge on vaccines and immunization schedule. It also revealed that antenatal nurses constituted the most accessible source of information. Furthermore, the study established a high percentage of complete immunization, influenced by parents’ fear of their children contracting vaccine preventable diseases. However, the few parents who could not complete the immunization schedule for their children referred to challenges such as forgetfulness and lack of personnel or vaccine at the centre. Whereas the socio-demographic variables considered did not influence their decision on immunization, it was established that the percentage of complete immunization increased with increasing schooling level of parents. It was higher among Christians than Muslims. The study concluded that knowledge on immunization could not influence immunization decisions. However, the main factors that influence parents’ decision on childhood immunizations in Kumasi metropolis were parents’ fear of vaccine preventable diseases, awareness on the benefits of immunizations and sources of vaccine information

Bakgrund Vaccinets funktion i att begränsa och eliminera virusbaserade sjukdomar är vetenskapligt bevisat och dess inverkan på samhället sedan införseln av ett nationellt barnvaccinationsprogram har varit otvivelaktig. I och med vaccinationsprogrammets framgång har rädslan och förståelsen för hur farliga barnsjukdomarna var minskat. Något som kan leda till att rädslan inte längre leder till en skyddande aktion såsom vaccinering. Syfte Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka informationens betydelse för föräldrars beslut att avstå från att vaccinera sitt barn eller låta vaccinera barnet. Metod Litteraturstudie baserad på elva vetenskapliga originalartiklar publicerade mellan år 2004-2018. Artikelsökning skedde i databaserna CINAHL, PubMed och SveMed+. Granskning av originalartiklar genomfördes enligt kvalitetsgranskningsmallar. I studien har the Health Belief Model samt familjecentrerad vård använts som teoretiska referensramar. Resultat Information är av yttersta vikt vid ett beslut om vaccination. Vårdgivare är viktiga i informationsgivandet. Det framkom att föräldrar vill ha neutral information med både för- och nackdelar. Föräldrar uppgav att de inhämtar information från internet, vetenskapliga studier eller vänner och familj. Information kan ges i muntligt eller skriftlig form. Muntlig information kan ske antingen genom faktagivning eller diskussion.   Slutsats Informationen har en betydande roll i beslutsprocessen hos föräldrar som ska vaccinera sitt barn. Föräldrar får information från vården, men de söker även information på egen hand för att komplettera informationen. Informationen från vården behöver anpassas efter personerna i fråga. Utifrån tydlig information som berör ämnet på ett trovärdigt sätt kan sjuksköterskan visa på vaccinationsprogrammets centrala roll i att minimera risker och maximera fördelar för barnet. / Backgrund Since the introduction of a national childhood vaccination programme, the vaccine's role in limiting and eliminating virus-based diseases have been scientifically proven and its impact on society has been undeniable. With the success of the vaccination programme, the fear of how dangerous childhood diseases have been diminished. This could lead to the fear no longer acting as a strong enough reason to vaccinate.  Aim The aim of the study was to investigate how significant information is to parents when deciding whether to refrain or receive vaccination for their child. Method The literature review is based on eleven scientific original articles published between the years 2004-2018. The article search took place in the CINAHL, PubMed and SveMed+ databases. Original articles were reviewed using quality review templates. The theoretical framework for this study was based on the Health Belief Model and Family Centred Nursing. Result Information is of utmost importance when deciding to vaccinate. Caregivers are important in the provision of information. It appeared that parents want neutral information with both pros and cons. Parents stated that they gather information from the internet, scientific studies or friends and family. Information may be given in oral or written form. Oral information may be given through both the presentation of facts or discussion.  Conclusion Information has a significant role in the decision-making process of parents to vaccinate their child. Parents receive information from healthcare, but they also seek information on their own to supplement the information. The information from healthcare needs to be adapted to the persons in question. Given that fair and direct information is provided, that relates to the subject in a credible way, the nurse can demonstrate the central role of the vaccination program in minimizing the risks and maximizing benefits to the child.

Depth interviews with 16 urban female heads of households (FHHs) were the basis of this qualitative study which sought to understand the nature of the child care decisions these women made for their school age children. A theoretical sampling model based on six dimensions of contrast (race, financial security, the presence of other caretakers in the household, the number of children in the household, and the age of children) was used in selecting the sample. All of the women were involved in work, education or training to a degree that child care was an issue for them. The collective testimony of the sample reveals that the FHHs chose care for their children that was compatible with their role as provider and with their resources. Resources included knowledge of caregivers and settings, network support, and material resources (income, presence of care in the community, and transportation). Women who had limited resources and restrictive provider roles functioned in an environment of forced choice and were more at risk for making decisions on child care that they were not personally comfortable with. Their affect, values, and children's opinions and needs played an important role within the bounds allowed by the provider role and resources. The FHHs maintained child care arrangements until life events or changes in resources or provider role precipitated the need for another decision. However, unmet values, and unacknowledged affect and child opinion precipitated a change if they were highlighted so clearly by anomalous events that they could not be ignored. Such conditions affected immediate change in child care, but not subsequent decisions. Social policy recommendations that stemmed from these findings conclude the study. / M.S.