[Evaluation of cognitive requirements of parents consumers attending vaccination offices]

To vaccinate the majority of population it is essential a strong cooperation with parents (users) which have to be correctly informed through an efficient communication system. The present analysis aims at elucidating parental background knowledge and information sources on vaccination problems. We selected 387 parents from ASL vaccination offices in L'Aquila, Avezzano-Sulmona and Pescara. Two groups have been identified: the first group included parents dealing with the first vaccination of their child, parents in the second group already experienced the vaccination tool. The two groups have been tested with a 17 items questionnaire. Results analysis evidenced a reasonable trust in the validity of received information and a fair level of topic knowledge. Our results show that the organizative and cultural effort put on by Public health operators improved awareness and participation to vaccination program. Still a big effort has to be devoted to disadvantage group of population's mainly low-level education groups and new immigrants. Thus it would be wise to promote informative actions even through the media to increase the basic knowledge on vaccine strategies