en POLSKI
eISSN: 2300-8660
ISSN: 0031-3939
Pediatria Polska - Polish Journal of Paediatrics
Current issue Archive Manuscripts accepted About the journal Editorial board Abstracting and indexing Contact Instructions for authors Ethical standards and procedures
Editorial System
Submit your Manuscript
SCImago Journal & Country Rank
3/2022
vol. 97
 
Share:
Share:
abstract:
Original paper

The antivaccination movement and the perspectives of Polish parents

Ewa Łoś-Rycharska
1
,
Maria Popielarz
1
,
Joanna Wolska
1
,
Aleksandra Sobieska-Poszwa
1
,
Inga Dziembowska
2
,
Aneta Krogulska
1

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Allergology and Gastroenterology, Collegium Medicum Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
  2. Department of Patophysiology, Collegium Medicum Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
Pediatr Pol 2022; 97 (3): 183-192
Online publish date: 2022/09/30
View full text Get citation
 
PlumX metrics:
Introduction
Vaccination is an important prophylactic strategy. However, recent years have seen the growth of antivaccination movements whose popularity has been driven by access to the Internet. The present study examines the influence of these antivaccination movements on attitudes towards vaccination by Polish families.

Material and methods
Surveys of vaccination beliefs and knowledge, and popular antivaccination opinions (n = 278) were completed by parents of patients on a paediatric ward and subjected to analysis (response rate = 56%).

Results
More than half the returned surveys (n = 156; 56.12%) indicated awareness of the existence of antivaccination movements. One third (n = 91; 32.73%) reported knowing antivaccine proponents in their social circle. Approximately half (n = 126; 45.32%) were familiar with antivaccination arguments. Awareness of antivaccination movements, knowing their proponents, and familiarity with their arguments were found to be significantly correlated with living in a large city (appropriately p < 0.004, p < 0.003, p < 0.0003), having a higher income (p < 0.004, p < 0.001, p < 0.0009), and a higher education level (p < 0.000001, p < 0.008, p < 0.000001). Knowledge about the antivaccination movements had an influence on parental beliefs regarding vaccination. Familiarity with anti-vaccine arguments and personal familiarity with anti-vaccine proponents was related to the belief that vaccines caused serious complications (p < 0.01 and p < 0.02, respectively). The performance of compulsory vaccination in children was negatively related with familiarity with antivaccination proponents (98.4% vs. 92.31%, p < 0.05) and with knowing their arguments (100% vs. 92.06%, p < 0.05). However, most parents who reported familiarity with antivaccination movements (53.85% vs. 40.16%, p < 0.05) or antivaccination proponents (65.94 vs. 39.04%, p <0.0001), or their views (59.52% vs.38.16%, p < 0.001), still performed these vaccinations.

Conclusions
Knowledge about the existence of antivaccination movements influences parental attitudes towards vaccination. Because many people with high awareness of vaccinations and access to them are familiar with antivaccination arguments, this group should be especially included in professional educational activities regarding vaccination.

keywords:

vaccination, health awareness, antivaccine movement