Attitudes of parents towards the use of H1N1 vaccination in Saudi Arabia

In late March 2009 in Mexico, an outbreak of a respiratory illness later shown to be caused by a novel influenza A virus of swine origin (H1N1) was reported. By the end of December 2009, there were approximately 15,850 confirmed cases and 124 deaths caused by this virus in Saudi Arabia. During such outbreaks, it is important that the concerns, knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral reactions of the public be studied in order to improve communication efforts by public health officials and clinicians to address the outbreak and to prevent further spread of the disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the attitudes of multi-nationality parents in Saudi Arabia towards swine influenza vaccinations. Of the 900 survey sheets that were distributed in thirteen provinces of Saudi Arabia, 469 (52.1%) were completed. Of the total respondents, 122 (26%) were Saudi, 288 (61.4%) did not indicate their nationalities, and 59 (12.6%) were other Arab nationalities [Jordanian (n = 36), Egyptian (n = 23)]. Of the total respondents, 422 (90%) believed that swine influenza vaccinations are likely unsafe due to possible side effects, whereas 47 (10%) believed that anti-influenza vaccinations are important. In a multivariate analysis, the following factors were found to be important for vaccination support: a) male gender, b) a non-Arab nationality, and c) recognition that influenza vaccination is likely to prove effective (P ≤ 0.01). Appreciation of the risk of influenza and the absence of viable alternatives to vaccination were also statistically important factors (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, the factors that influence the acceptance rates of vaccination that were identified in this study should be taken into account when attempts are made to increase public acceptance of influenza vaccinations in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.