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Randomised cluster trial to support informed parental decision-making for the MMR vaccine
Cath Jackson1, Francine M Cheater, Wendy Harrison
1Institute for Applied Health Research, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
BMC Public Health
|June 18, 2011
Summary
A parent-centered intervention improved MMR vaccination decisions and uptake in UK parents. The multi-component approach, including balanced information and group discussion, helped parents make informed choices about the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Vaccinology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Public concern regarding measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine safety impacts coverage in the UK.
- Low MMR vaccination uptake rates fall short of achieving population immunity.
- Parents often lack confidence in making informed MMR vaccination decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of a parent-centered, multi-component intervention on informed decision-making for MMR vaccination.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of balanced information, group discussion, and coaching exercises in supporting parental decisions.
- To address low MMR vaccine uptake by improving parental confidence and knowledge.
Main Methods:
- A two-arm, cluster randomized trial involving 142 UK parents eligible for MMR vaccination.
- Intervention group received an MMR information leaflet and participated in a parent meeting.
- Control group received only the MMR information leaflet; primary outcome was decisional conflict.
Main Results:
- Decisional conflict decreased significantly in both groups post-intervention, enabling effective MMR decisions.
- No significant difference in decisional conflict reduction was observed between the intervention and control arms.
- The intervention arm showed significantly higher vaccination uptake (93% vs. 73%, p=0.04).
Conclusions:
- Both the leaflet and parent meeting effectively reduced parental decisional conflict regarding MMR vaccination.
- The parent meeting component of the intervention was crucial in enabling parents to act on their decisions, leading to increased vaccination uptake.
- Interventions supporting informed decision-making are vital for improving childhood vaccination rates.
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