Decision-making on childhood vaccination by highly educated parents

• Published in: Revista de saúde pública Vol. 49; p. 18
• Main Authors: Barbieri, Carolina Luísa Alves, Couto, Márcia Thereza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo 2015; Universidade de São Paulo
• Subjects: Adult; Brazil; Child, Preschool; Decision Making; Educational Status; Fatores Socioeconômicos; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Policy & Services; Humans; Immunization Programs - statistics & numerical data; Infant; Male; Original; Pais; Parents - education; Pesquisa Qualitativa; Programas de Imunização; Qualitative Research; Saúde da Criança; Social Class; Socioeconomic Factors; Urban Population; Vaccination - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; Brazil; Saúde da Criança; Fatores Socioeconômicos; Immunization Programs; Parents; Pesquisa Qualitativa; Programas de Imunização; Child Health; Qualitative Research; Socioeconomic Factors; Pais
• ISSN: 0034-8910; 1518-8787; 1518-8787; 0034-8910
• DOI: 10.1590/S0034-8910.2015049005149

OBJECTIVE To analyze the sociocultural aspects involved in the decision-making process of vaccination in upper-class and highly educated families. METHODS A qualitative approach based on in-depth interviews with 15 couples from the city of Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, falling into three categories: vaccinators, late or selective vaccinators, and nonvaccinators. The interpretation of produced empirical material was performed through content analysis. RESULTS The study showed diverse and particular aspects surrounding the three groups' decisions whether to vaccinate their children. The vaccinators' decision to vaccinate their children was spontaneous and raised no questions. Most late or selective vaccinators experienced a wide range of situations that were instrumental in the decision to delay or not apply certain vaccines. The nonvaccinator's decision-making process expressed a broader context of both criticism of hegemonic obstetric practices in Brazil and access to information transmitted via social networks and the internet. The data showed that the problematization of vaccines (culminating in the decision to not vaccinate their children) occurred in the context of humanized birth, was protagonized by women and was greatly influenced by health information from the internet. CONCLUSIONS Sociocultural aspects of the singular Brazilian context and the contemporary society were involved in the decision-making on children's vaccination. Understanding this process can provide a real basis for a deeper reflection on health and immunization practices in Brazil in light of the new contexts and challenges of the world today.