Date of Conferral
2016
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Public Health
Advisor
Cheri Langley
Abstract
Delays in childhood immunization may have adverse health implications. In the United States, childhood immunization among children who are below 3 years of age continues to be below Healthy People 2020 targets for some vaccines such as DTaP, PCV, HIB, Hep A, Rotavirus, and Hep B birth dose. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between maternal characteristics and childhood immunization series completion rates among children 2 years of age. The social learning theory and self-efficacy theory provided the theoretical foundation for the study. Data from the Florida Department of Health Immunization Surveys were used. ANOVA and multinomial statistical tests were used to analyze the data. According to the study results, maternal factors such as age, marital status, and educational level were significant predictors of childhood immunization completion rates. The findings from the study could lead to positive social change initiatives through education and inclusion of mothers' concerns during interventions to increase immunization rates in children. Increase in immunization completion rates can reduce communicable disease in the population. Insights from this study could assist health care providers, parents, and care givers in their responsibilities relative to childhood immunization practices.
Recommended Citation
Ramnon, Merlene, "Maternal Characteristics and Childhood Immunization Series Completion Rates Among Children 2-Years-Old" (2016). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 3200.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3200
