KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE REGARDING IMMUNIZATION AMONG FAMILY PRACTICE PATIENTS

Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices about immunization among family practicepatients.Design: A questionnaire based survey.Patients and Method: A questionnaire was developed in line with the study objectives. It was administered(o patients visiting family physicians, after they were administered, informed consent and assurance withregards to confidentiality was provided. Epi-info and SPSS software was used for data management.Results: A total o f 97 patients were surveyed. The majority were men (59.8%) with a mean age o f 29.69years. Majority was unmarried (51.5%), with graduate and post-graduate education (73%), and ingovernment and private service (48%). Vaccination was believed to prevent disease by 94%. Majoritywas informed about immunization by doctors and parents (94%). Media provided information aboutimmunization to 62% o f the patients. A 58% would recommend vaccination to others. Source aboutharmful effects o f immunization was provided by friends and parents (80% ). Hurdles against immunizationwere lack o f education and lack o f funds according to 43 (45%) and 29 (30%) respondents respectively.Education o f population and mothers were ways to promote immunization according to 23 (24%) and19 (20%) respondents respectively. Immunization exists against Hepatitis "C" and Malaria according(o 35 (36%) and 10 (10%) respondents respectively. Immunization were received against polio, measlesand hepatitis ”B" by 86 (89%), 51 (53%) and 26 (27%) respondents respectively.Conclusion: The study results have identified a strong need for education program for the masses aboutimmunization, since major dcticicncies have been identified. Further studies arc sUongly recommendedalong with debate on this important public health issue.