Journal List > Korean J Pediatr Infect Dis > v.20(3) > 1096039

Yoon, Lee, Kim, Kong, and Kim: Adolescents' and Parental Knowledge, Health Beliefs Toward Hepatitis A Vaccination

Abstract

Purpose

Although the overall incidence of hepatitis A in Korea has been decreasing recently, the adolescents born before the introduction of the hepatitis A vaccine remain to be highly vulnerable to outbreak. This study examines the unvaccinated adolescents' and their parents' knowledge and health beliefs toward hepatitis A vaccination.

Methods

Healthy adolescents aged 13-19 years old who had no previous history of hepatitis A vaccine and hepatitis A infection, and their parents or legal guardians were the subjects of the study. The survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model, and examined the subjects' demographics, knowledge, and health beliefs (i.e., perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers).

Results

We included 157 adolescents and their parents/guardians (mean age: 16.0±1.6 and 45.6±4.7 years, respectively). The average knowledge item score for adolescents and parents was 6.4±3.7 and 7.3±3.4 (out of 18), respectively. Similarly, average Health Belief Model item scores were: susceptibility, 5.6±1.6 and 5.9±1.7 (range: 2-10); severity, 16.3±4.1 and 18.3±3.6 (range:5-25); benefits, 19.7±3.3 and 20.6±2.1 (range:5-25); and barriers, 41.3±8.9 and 39.0±9.1 (range:7-85). The major reason for not undergoing hepatitis A vaccination was lack of knowledge about its importance.

Conclusions

Refresher health lectures about hepatitis A and the vaccine are needed by both the adolescents and their parents. Furthermore, the inclusion of hepatitis A vaccine in the national immunization program should be considered to reduce the risk of hepatitis A outbreak and to raise the vaccination coverage among the adolescents in Korea.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the Subjects
kjpid-20-147-i001
Table 2
Knowledge about Hepatitis A and Hepatitis A Vaccine
kjpid-20-147-i002

*P value<0.05.

Non-responses were excluded (at least 2 to up to 7).

Abbreviations: No, numbers; T, true; F, false; SD, standard deviation; IQR, interquartile range.

Table 3
Descriptive Statistics for Health Belief Model Items
kjpid-20-147-i003

*P value<0.05.

Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; IQR, interquartile range.

Table 4
Perceived Susceptibility, Severity, and Benefits
kjpid-20-147-i004

*P value<0.05.

Sum of 'agree' and 'strongly agree'.

Non-responses were excluded (at least 1 to up to 9).

Abbreviations: No, numbers; SD, standard deviation; IQR, interquartile range.

Table 5
Perceived Barriers to Vaccination
kjpid-20-147-i005

*Sum of 'agree' and 'strongly agree'.

Non-responses were excluded (at least 2 to up to 5).

Abbreviations: No, numbers; SD, standard deviation; IQR, interquartile range.

Table 6
Major Reason for Not Receiving Vaccination
kjpid-20-147-i006

*Parents/guardians previously vaccinated with hepatitis A were excluded.

Non-responses were excluded (at least 2 to up to 5).

Abbreviation: No, numbers.

Table 7
Experiences of Hepatitis A Infection and Vaccination
kjpid-20-147-i007

*Non-responses were excluded (at least 4 to up to 5).

Abbreviations: No, numbers, TV, television.

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