Vaccination status among children in an urban area and its association with risk factors and some parent health practices: A cross-sectional study

Objective: The study aims to determine the vaccination status of children and evaluate the relationship between vaccination rates, vaccine attitudes, and some parental health practices. Design and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 674 mothers. Data were collected using a survey evaluating vaccine characteristics, some infant health practices, and The Public Attitude Toward Vaccination Scale—Health Belief Model. Chi-square test, independent samples t-test, and logistic regression analysis were used. Results: 80.2% of children were fully vaccinated. The rate of non or under-vaccination was higher in the group that did not regularly undergo follow-up for 0–2-year-old children, did not fully have health screenings, did not use vitamin D and iron supplements, and used alternative medicine. Moreover, the duration of breast milk feeding, the transition to supplementary food, and the duration of vitamin D use in the non-fully vaccinated group were lower than in the fully vaccinated group (p <.05). The increase in maternal education period and severity and benefit attitude scores of vaccine attitude were the factors that decreased the rate of non-fully vaccination. The increase in barrier scores toward vaccines increased the rate of non or under-vaccination. Conclusion: Mothers who have negative attitudes toward vaccination have negative behaviors in health practices and screenings on infant/child health.