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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Vaccination | Research

The knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of midwives on the vaccination coverage rates in Perth’s Aboriginal children

Authors: Rebecca Carman, Lesley Andrew, Amanda Devine

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Midwives are well placed to promote vaccination awareness throughout a women’s pregnancy and strengthen childhood vaccination demand following hospital discharge. In Perth, Western Australia, Aboriginal children experience some of the lowest vaccination coverage rates across the nation. To identify factors preventing greater vaccination uptake amongst the target population, a theory-based study was conducted with midwives across two Perth maternity hospitals to explore behavioural attributes, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs surrounding vaccination provision and the vaccines administered to Aboriginal children.

Methods

A purpose-designed questionnaire was distributed to midwives working in two Perth public maternity hospitals. The proximal constructs of The Theory of Planned Behavior were used to frame the questionnaire to enable the barriers to greater vaccination coverage to be identified and behaviourally situated. Descriptive statistics described the demographics of the study sample. Chi-square and the Fisher’s exact test were used to identify associations between midwife characteristics and awareness of the coverage rates. Significance was set at α = 0.05.

Results

Of the 58 midwives who completed the study questionnaire, 77.2% were unaware of the sub-optimal vaccination coverage in Perth’s Aboriginal children. Level of education (p = 0.53) and years worked as a practising midwife (p = 0.47) were not found to be associated with an awareness of the coverage rates. Approximately, 50% of midwives reported some concern over the efficacy of childhood vaccines, 44.4% did not feel confident with their knowledge of vaccines, while 33.3% do not routinely discuss childhood vaccinations with parents prior to hospital discharge.

Conclusions

Key findings in the study identified that a range of educational, leadership and system-based issues are affecting midwives’ capacity to play a more substantial role in influencing vaccination coverage in Perth’s Aboriginal children.

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Title: The knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of midwives on the vaccination coverage rates in Perth’s Aboriginal children
Authors: Rebecca Carman
Lesley Andrew
Amanda Devine
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Vaccination
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11907-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of midwives on the vaccination coverage rates in Perth’s Aboriginal children

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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