Vaccine Educational Strategy: The Need to Address Determinants of Immunization Non-Compliance among Parents of Preschool-Aged Children

Background:
One of the causes of Maine's declining Immunization rates is attributed to parents' non-compliance with ACIP recommendations.
Little research has been done to document determinants of vaccine compliance. This has often resulted in a fragmented approach to health promotion and health education planning.
In 2007, the Maine Immunization Program collaborated with University of Southern Maine Muskie School of Public Service to survey Maine parents and explore some barriers and incentives that affect compliance with immunization requirements.
Objectives
• To explore possible determinants of immunization compliance behavior among parents of pre-school children
• To suggest a comprehensive health promotion strategy that might increase immunization compliance among parents currently choosing immunization exemptions

Setting:
MIP

Population:
See methods

Project Description:
Using a list of vital records, a survey instrument was mailed to a random sample of 8,526 parents of children born in the preceding 5 years. An incentive was given to those who mailed back a completed survey. A follow-up telephone survey was administered to mothers who had not completed the mailed survey. In total 31.1% of those sampled completed a survey by mail (65%) or by phone (35%).

Results/Lessons Learned:
As part of the analysis, families were stratified into two classifications: “Not All Immunized” referred to families where one or more children were incompletely immunized for their age (10.3% of completed surveys). “All Immunized” referred to full compliers.
Results demonstrated some differences in educational levels and other demographic characteristics between respondents of the two groups and pointed also to differences in determinants of health behavior affecting parents' choice, such as differences in health belief about immunization as well as variation in the source and medium of trusted health information.
Conclusions
This poster will present the results of this survey and other reported research as the foundational basis in a health promotion and health education strategy targeting immunization non-compliers.