Routine childhood immunization knowledge: Do fathers who accompany their children for immunization differ from those who accompany their children for circumcision?

Abstract

Background: Paternal involvement in child care activities especially immunization is being advocated as their involvement portend better  outcomes. Compliance with circumcision another child care activity is much higher than for childhood immunization.

Method:  Fathers who accompanied their children for immunization were recruited at the immunization centre while fathers who accompanied  their male infants for circumcision were recruited at Accident and Emergency theatre where circumcisions are performed. Demographic  information was obtained as well as information on the knowledge of fathers about immunization.

Results: There were 103 fathers accompanying children for immunization and circumcision respectively. Mean age of those who accompanied for immunization 34.47±5.68 years was significantly younger than 36.91±4.54 years for fathers who accompanied for cirCC –BY 4.0 cumcision p<0.0008.  Fathers who accompanied for circumcision were significantly more educated p<0.0001 and were significantly more likely to know the  names of the vaccines administered and potential side effect s / complications of vaccines. Fathers who accompanied for  immunization were significantly more likely to know the age at commencement and completion of immunization although a significant  proportion of both groups were not knowledgeable about these dates.

Conclusion: Majority of fathers were not knowledgeable about immunization. All opportunities for contact with fathers especially when they accompany their children for health care activities should be  used to educate them about immunization and its importance.