KNOWLEDGE OF MOTHERS CONCERNING THE VACCINES ADMINISTERED IN THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFE

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge of mothers about their children’s vaccination in the first year of life. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study including 90 mothers of children less than one year of age in the urban area of the municipality of Picos,n PI, Brazil. The mothers were approached at Primary Care Facilities for participation in the study. This research was performed in accordance with the ethical principles contained in 196/96 Brazilian Resolution. Results: The data show that more than half of the mothers were housewives (60%) and only 6.7% were housekeepers for someone else. The survey also revealed that 41.1% of mothers had two children, and their educational level was incomplete elementary school (37.8%) in most cases. The most reported vaccine by mothers (n=45) was BCG (89%) which is part of the immunization schedule of the National Immunization Program for the first year of life. Of the 26 mothers who reported at least one vaccine against a preventable disease, 61.53% mentioned that Hepatitis B can be prevented by Hepatitis B vaccine, followed by polio vaccine avoiding infantile paralysis (53.85%), and yellow fever vaccine against yellow fever (34.62%). Conclusion: The mothers' knowledge concerning the vaccines administered in the first year of life is still incipient. Furthermore, not all mothers have linked at least one vaccine to the disease it confers immunity, thus highlighting the need for further actions on health education. DESCRIPTORS Mothers. Nursing Care. Vaccination. Child.