Engagement and understanding of health service users about vaccination

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to observe the belief about vaccination and the factors associated with vaccination hesitance in patients of the health system in the city of João Pessoa, PB. Methodology: A cross sectional observational study was carried out from July 2018 to September 2019, using a quantitative approach in three distinct groups: Group A – patients in two Family Health Program Units, Group B – pregnant women in a University Hospital, Group C – health students in a vaccination campaign. A structured questionnaire was applied to collect socioeconomic data and the participant's opinion regarding vaccines as well as the level of updating of their vaccination card. Results: Of the 253 participants included, 101 (39.9%) in Group A, 72 (28.4%) in Group B and 80 (31.6%) in Group C. Of all, 95.8% of the study population said that vaccines has high importance to health, but 43 (17%) individuals missed vaccination. The reasons that led to such evasion were different between groups. In Group A 42.8% assumed “fear” as the main reason; 45.4% of Group B attributed to the lack of vaccines in health facilities and, 58.9% of Group C attributed it to negligence. Conclusion: With a multifactorial character, vaccine evasion is today a global health problem, with different aspects and causal factors depending on the social group analyzed.