Knowledge and attitudes about vaccinations among adolescents

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Vaccination is crucial for preventing infectious diseases in adolescents.
• Understanding adolescent knowledge and information sources is vital for effective public health strategies.
• Previous studies have explored vaccination knowledge across Europe.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess adolescent knowledge regarding vaccination in Antwerp.
• To identify primary sources of vaccination information for adolescents.
• To explore barriers and motives related to adolescent vaccination.

Main Methods:

• A written questionnaire was administered to 186 adolescents aged 14-17 in Antwerp.
• The study involved participants from three schools with diverse ethnic backgrounds.
• The questionnaire was previously validated in a multi-country European study.

Main Results:

• 93% of adolescents recognized vaccination as a disease prevention method.
• High awareness was noted for vaccines against tetanus (94%), hepatitis B (91%), and HPV (87%).
• Key information sources included family physicians (83%), schools (79%), and parents (70%).

Conclusions:

• Physicians, schools, and parents are pivotal in adolescent vaccination decisions.
• Adolescent vaccination knowledge in Antwerp aligns with findings from other European countries.
• Targeted information strategies involving healthcare providers and educational institutions are recommended.