Main Caregivers’ Knowledge and Behavior of Influenza Prevention for Preschoolers in Central Taiwan

DOI: 10.6525/TEB.20151013.31(19).001

Ming-Jae Lo^1＊, Duan-Huei Tsai ²

2015 Vol.31 NO.19

Correspondence Author： Ming-Jae Lo

Abstract：

Recently influenza causes various scales of epidemic situation in Taiwan every year. Data from Taiwan Centers for Disease Control indicated that 0-6 year-old children had the highest emergency department visits for influenza-like illess. The objective of this research is to confer the situation of influenza vaccinnation for preschoolers and the state of the main caregivers’ knowledge and behavior of prevention of influenza for preschoolers.

A questionnaire was delivered to and collected from 944 main carergivers for children ages 3-6 year-old in public and private preschools. The rate of influenza vaccination for preschoolers is 62.0%. The three major reasons for children rceiving the influenza vaccine are: (1) the irimmunity is too weak and might be infected (36.0%); (2) there are widespread influenza activities (24.0%); and (3) the vaccine is effective (11.4%). Major reasons for not vaccinating children are: (1) Being cocerned about the side effects(48.4%); and (2) being concerned about the safety of vaccine ingredients(29.2%). Most caregivers (39.9%) received information of influenza vaccination from television. The main caregivers’ knowledge of influenza illness was above the intermediate level (68.1%), and their knowledge of prevention of influenza was at upper-intermediate level (83.0%).

In conclusion, to assist the prevention and control of influenza, we recommend the main caregives for children should improve their knowledge of influenza. Preschool and the government agencies should promote it through various channels.