<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><Articles><Article><id>52</id><JournalTitle>KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES ON CHILDHOOD VACCINATION A SURVEY AMONG SAUDI PARENTS IN TAIF REGION, SAUDI ARABIA</JournalTitle><Abstract>Background: Parentsâ€™ knowledge and attitudes towards immunization are likely influence uptake. The objective of this
study was to assess parental knowledge, and attitudes on childhood immunization among Saudi parents. Methods: A crosssectional survey was conducted during April 2013 in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Convenient method of sampling was adopted. Parents
with children of 0-12 years old were invited to participate. Data was collected through face- to -face interview method using a
pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data was processed using the software Statistical Package for Social Science (SPPS)
(Version 21). Descriptive statistics were used to describe all variables. Association between dependent variables (knowledge,
and attitudes) and independent ones (parentsâ€™ demographics) were tested using Chi-square test. P values of < 0.05 were
considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 731 parents were recruited. Parents had good knowledge on aspects
related to the general role of vaccination in prevention of some infectious diseases 672(91.9%), timing of the first dose in
vaccination schedule 635(86.9%). However, poor knowledge was documented among parents in other aspects like the
importance of administration of multiple doses of the same vaccine to child immunity 304(41.6%), administration of multiple
vaccines at the same time have no negative impacts on child immunity 271(37.1%), vaccination of children against seasonal
influenza 334(45.7%) and contraindication to vaccination 287(39.3%). Parents attitudes towards immunization was positive
expect in some aspects related to vaccination side effects 316 (34.2%) and the probability of occurrence of diseases against
which the child was vaccinated 288(39.4%). Gender, residence and educational level were found to be significantly associated
with both parentsâ€™ knowledge and attitudes towards immunization. Conclusions and recommendations: Although parents had
good knowledge and positive attitudes on some aspects related childhood immunization, gaps in both studied domains were
identified. Educational interventions are needed to upgrade parentsâ€™ knowledge with special emphasis on less educated and
residents of rural areas.</Abstract><Email>bakarelbu@yahoo.co.uk</Email><articletype>Research</articletype><volume>4</volume><issue>2</issue><year>2014</year><keyword>Parents,Knowledge,Attitude,Childhood immunization,Saudi</keyword><AUTHORS>Abubaker Ibrahim Elbur, Yousif MA,Ahmed Abdulrahman Albarraq,Mustafa Awad Abdallah</AUTHORS><afflication>Pharmacy Practice Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,Pharmacy Practice Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,Pharmacy Practice Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,Pharmacy Practice Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.</afflication></Article></Articles>