Cognitive Differences in Infectious Disease Prevention and Status of Immunization of Vietnamese Spouses in Taiwan

Yu-chen Hsu1, Kun-yu Tsai2 ,Chin-shui Shih1, Ying-hwei Chen1

2010 Vol.26 NO.6

Correspondence Author: Yu-chen Hsu

Abstract:

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the cognitive difference in dengue fever (DF) and avian flu (AF) prevention of Vietnamese spouses before and after arriving in Taiwan; and their status of immunization as a reference for planning policies on infectious disease prevention for foreign spouses in Taiwan. A survey was conducted on Vietnamese spouses living in Taiwan (Vietnamese spouses) and Vietnamese brides (Vietnamese brides), from September to October 2007, through local health bureaus and ROC representative office in Vietnam. Of 4,406 valid copies, 3,906 copies were recovered from Vietnamese spouses and 500 copies from Vietnamese brides. Results of multiple regression analysis show that the average score of the cognition in DF prevention of Vietnamese spouses is higher than that of the Vietnamese brides by a score of 0.4, and the difference is statistically significant (p<0.001). By contrast, the average score of the cognition in AF prevention of Vietnamese brides is higher than that of the Vietnamese spouses by 0.3, and the difference is statistically significant (p<0.002). Also, the vaccination rate of Vietnamese brides is higher than that of Vietnamese spouses (57.7% versus 30.1%, p<0.001). The longer stay in Taiwan, the stronger the cognition in DF prevention, though the cognition in AF prevention of those coming to Taiwan is higher. The Vietnamese spouses in Taiwan have less knowledge in DF symptoms and preventive measures, but both groups lack knowledge in AF preventive measures. Though the MMR, measles and JE vaccination rate of Vietnamese spouses tends to increase, it is still relatively lower.