Knowledge of Spanish parents about their children's vaccinations during the decade 1993-2003

This study aims to analyze the knowledge of Spanish parents about the officially recommended vaccinations for their children. We analyzed 3,653 questionnaires from the Spanish National Health Surveys for the years 1993 and 2003. We used as a dichotomous dependent variable ("yes" or "no") the question "For which of the following diseases do you think vaccination is officially recommended?" As independent variables, we used sociodemographic data and perceived health of the child. Knowledge of five of the seven recommended vaccinations decreased during the decade of the study. Logistic regression associates highly educated Spanish parents with decreased knowledge of vaccines. When analyzing the global outcome of vaccines recommended during the decade, we can see that, in 2003, parents had less knowledge about vaccines (OR: 0.54, CI 95%: 0.40-0.73) than in 1993.