Document Details Document Type : Article In Journal  Document Title : Delays in Primary Vaccination of Infants Living in Western Saudi Arabia تأخير التطعيمات الأساسية لدى الأطفال بالمنطقة الغربية   Document Language : English  Abstract : Objectives: Vaccination is one of the most cost effective means of preventing serious infectious diseases. Several studies from developing and developed countries documented considerable delays in the administration of primary vaccinations. Our objectives were to study the circumstances and contributing factors to such delays in order to design preventative measures. Methods: Parents of consecutive infants seen during a routine vaccination visit were included prospectively between 10.9.2000 and 10.2.2001. Structured interviews were performed using a 20-item questionnaire. Vaccinations were considered delayed if they took place 4 or more weeks after the designated time. Results: During the study period, 227 structured interviews were conducted. All approached parents agreed to participate. The mother was interviewed in 97% of cases. Infant’s ages ranged between 2-52 months (mean 3.4, SD 5.1). The majority of the parents were married (98%), and 83% of the mothers were housewives. Most families (79%) had other older children. In most infants (91%), the primary vaccinations were given on time. In the remaining 9%, vaccinations were 1-38 months late (mean 3.8, SD 8.1). The commonest reasons for such delays were difficulties with the appointment (30%) and non-febrile upper respiratory tract illness (20%). In only 3 (15%) infants, the delay was based on physician’s advice, and only 2 (10%) had a real contraindication. Most of these parents (65%) were not concerned at all regarding the vaccination delay, and only 2 (12%) were highly concerned. Conclusions: Delays of primary vaccination of infants, although uncommon, continue to occur in our region. Improved parental education and timely scheduling of follow-up appointments can easily prevent such delays.  ISSN : 0749-8063  Journal Name : Saudi Medical Journal  Volume : 9  Issue Number : 23  Publishing Year : 2002 AH 2002 AD  Article Type : Article  Added Date : Saturday, March 13, 2010  Researchers Researcher Name (Arabic) Researcher Name (English) Researcher Type Dr Grade Email محمد جان jan, Mohammed Researcher Doctorate   Files File Name Type Description  25927.doc doc   Back To Researches Page