Parental Knowledge and Misconceptions Toward Childhood Immunization in the Doluwa MOH Area, Sri Lanka

Introduction: The Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) has significantly reduced vaccine-preventable diseases in Sri Lanka. However, gaps in parental knowledge and misconceptions remain, posing challenges to national immunization efforts.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate parental knowledge and misconceptions regarding childhood immunization and identify factors influencing parental knowledge in the Doluwa Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 176 participants attending vaccination and well-baby clinics in purposively selected Public Health Midwife (PHM) areas within the Doluwa MOH area of Kandy district. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and Child Health Development Records.
Results: The study included 176 parents, with a mean age of 31 years. While 87.8% of parents demonstrated a basic understanding of the general benefits of vaccination, significant gaps were observed in knowledge regarding specific diseases prevented by vaccines. 72% of participants were unaware of non-EPI vaccines available in the private sector. However, 88.6% of participants preferred vaccination over allowing children to develop natural immunity through illness. Significant associations were identified between immunization knowledge and education level and ethnicity (F = 5.003, p < .001). Public Health Midwives were the primary source of vaccination information for all participants with a high level of trustworthiness (4.95/5). Misconceptions were relatively minor and infrequent.
Conclusion: While parental knowledge about vaccination is generally good, gaps persist regarding specific disease prevention and awareness of non-EPI vaccines. Public Health Midwives, as highly trusted sources of information, are well-positioned to address these gaps through targeted educational initiatives.