Background:
The most economical preventive health measure to safeguard youngsters from vaccine-preventable diseases, ensure a disease-free future, and prevent socio-economic disasters is immunization. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a major backslide in childhood vaccinations. Hence, it is important to assess the parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards childhood vaccination amid the prevailing pandemic.
Aim:
This study evaluated the KAP of parents and caregivers about immunization.
Methods:
A prospective cross-sectional online questionnaire (Google Form) based study was done using convenient sampling among 105 parents and caregivers at a tertiary care hospital in Coimbatore for 6 months. Descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA, chi-square, Pearson correlation test, and unpaired t-test) were used. The results were depicted in terms of numbers and percentages. The data obtained was evaluated using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 28 for Windows.
Results:
The mean KAP scores of parents/caregivers about vaccination were 4.99 ± 2.05, 10.63 ± 2.28, and 6.67 ± 1.77 respectively. 61.9%, 58.1%, and 52.4% had good KAP scores respectively. Participants' knowledge and attitude showed a positive correlation (P
Key words: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Immunization, COVID-19 pandemic
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