Graduation Year
2013
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Ph.D.
Degree Granting Department
Nursing
Major Professor
Mary Webb, PhD, RN
Co-Major Professor
Mary E. Evans, PhD, RN, FAAN
Committee Member
Susan C. McMillan, PhD, ARNP, FAAN
Committee Member
Kevin E. Kip, PhD, FAHA
Committee Member
Judi Vitucci, RN, ARNP, PhD
Keywords
African-American Children, Immunizations, Vaccinations
Abstract
Rates and coverage levels of immunizations of African-American children are reduced compared to other races. Few studies have identified factors that influence vaccination decisions of African-American mothers. This study assessed the mothers' vaccination decisions using a self-administered questionnaire and a screening instrument for determining health literacy. This instrument is called Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM). The sample was 92 African American mothers, recruited from a large metropolitan church in Jacksonville, Florida, who had at least one child under the age of seven. A cross-sectional research design was used to administer survey instruments to identify and interpret parental barriers and decision-making regarding childhood vaccination. The results of this study showed that the there was a decrease in scores across the levels of education which indicated that education had a significant impact on the parental perception for the vaccination of their children. Interventions can now be tailored to improve the childhood immunization rates and provide a foundation for developing effective childhood vaccination educational materials for this population.
Scholar Commons Citation
Mcnair, Chauntel Mckenzie, "Factors Influencing Vaccination Decisions in African American Mothers of Preschool Age Children" (2013). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/5073