RIS ID

136269

Publication Details

Helps, C., Leask, J., Barclay, L. & Carter, S. (2019). Understanding non-vaccinating parents' views to inform and improve clinical encounters: A qualitative study in an Australian community. BMJ Open, 9 (5), 026299-1-026299-13.

Abstract

Objectives: To explain vaccination refusal in a sample of Australian parents.

Design: Qualitative design, purposive sampling in a defined population.

Setting: A geographically bounded community of approximately 30 000 people in regional Australia with high prevalence of vaccination refusal.

Participants: Semi structured interviews with 32 non-vaccinating parents: 9 fathers, 22 mothers and 1 pregnant woman. Purposive sampling of parents who had decided to discontinue or decline all vaccinations for their children.

Recruitment: via local advertising then snowballing.

Results: Thematic analysis focused on explaining decision-making pathways of parents who refuse vaccination. Common patterns in parents' accounts included: perceived deterioration in health in Western societies; a personal experience introducing doubt about vaccine safety; concerns regarding consent; varied encounters with health professionals (dismissive, hindering and helpful); a quest for the real truth'; reactance to system inflexibilities and ongoing risk assessment.

Conclusions: We suggest responses tailored to the perspectives of non-vaccinating parents to assist professionals in understanding and maintaining empathic clinical relationships with this important patient group.

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026299