1.1 Introduction
Vaccination is an important means of controlling serious infectious diseases, and careful attention to vaccine storage is essential to ensure optimal vaccine effectiveness. The cold chain still remains a highly vulnerable element of any immunization programme, both in developing and in developed countries. Patients can lose confidence in vaccines and providers if they require revaccination because the vaccines they received may have been compromised. According to Capua et al., (2006), vaccination can support programmes for eradicating diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza when effectively implemented in conjunction with other control methods. It is important to combine vaccination with other control methods because the vaccines currently available prevent clinical disease but do not prevent infection (Capua et al., 2006).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Vaccinations have saved millions of lives since their introduction more than 200 years ago (WHO, 2004). The most important elements of the immune system that are improved by immunization are the T cells, B cells, and the antibodies B cells produce. Memory B cells and memory T cells are responsible for a swift response to a second encounter with a foreign molecule. Passive immunization is direct introduction of these elements into the body, instead of production of these elements by the body itself. Immunization is done through various techniques, most commonly vaccination. Vaccines against microorganisms that cause diseases can prepare the body's immune system, thus helping to fight or prevent an infection.
Vaccine handling among parents is important factors in preventing and eradicating many common vaccine preventable diseases. Failure to store and handle vaccines properly can reduce vaccine potency, resulting in inadequate immune responses in patients and poor protection against disease. Vaccine manufacturers recommend storage conditions for their vaccines and clearly state that they do not guarantee the potency of the vaccines if they have not been stored at the correct temperature.
According to the Canadian National Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines for Immunization Providers, (2007), all vaccines must be maintained in a cold chain network. The Cold Chain refers to maintaining potency and integrity of a vaccine by ensuring optimal conditions during storage, handling and transport. This process includes stakeholders, equipment, and facilities from manufacture to administration and is designed to ensure that proper storage temperatures and protection from light is maintained at every step. Through the use of immunizations, some infections and diseases have almost completely been eradicated throughout the United States and the World (American Pharmaceutical Association (Apha, 2013).
A recent survey of public health leaders (Rambhia, et al., 2009) identified pharmacists as playing a key role in vaccine administration and pandemic planning. Evidence in published medical literature suggests that pharmacies are uniquely positioned to influence previously difficult-to-reach populations (Crawford, et al., 2011; Westrick, 2010). A review of pharmacy-led immunization programs (Francis and Hinchliffe, 2011) concluded that pharmacies might be especially effective in immunizing high-risk, older adults who are more likely to need prescription medications and, therefore, use pharmacy services. Pharmacist interventions have been shown to improve medication adherence (Jiang, et al., 2010), provide increased access to health care expertise and advice, and perform a variety of primary care services (Taitel, et al., 2011).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Perception and Attitude towards Vaccination among Parents in Low-income Communities.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the federal government and donor agencies make so much effort and spend close to 50 billion dollars annually in the supply chain of vaccines but when these monies are spent and the purpose for which they are spent are not achieved due to a reduced potency of such vaccines or due to inadequate manpower for vaccine delivery to the target population.
The underutilization of these widely available vaccines has created an opportunity for pharmacists to play a role in improving immunization rates and thus advancing public health. Community pharmacy-based vaccination services will go a long way to increasing the number of immunization providers and the number of sites where patients can receive immunizations. More than 40,000 to 50,000 adult and child death could have been prevented annually in Nigeria if there was a successful routine immunization for certain preventable diseases of which include measles, herpes zoster, tetanus and a host of others (Abdhuraheem, et al., 2011).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Perception and Attitude towards Vaccination among Parents in Low-income Communities. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the perception of parents in low-income communities towards vaccination;
- To assess the attitudes of parents towards vaccination in low-income communities;
- To explore variables that affect vaccine availability among parents in low-income communities; and
- To investigate the factors that contributes to vaccination failure among parents in low-income communities.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there factors that contribute to vaccination failure among parents in low-income communities?
- What is the perception of parents in low-income communities towards vaccination?
- What are the attitudes of parents towards vaccination in low-income communities?
- What are the variables that affect vaccine availability among parents in low-income communities?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There are no significant factors that contributes to vaccination failure among parents in low-income communities
- H1: There are significant factors that contributes to vaccination failure among parents in low-income communities
1.7 Significance of Study
The significance of this research remains important as vaccine storage is one important factor that could influence the potency level of vaccines as well as the success of any immunization programme. Also, availability of vaccines is a crucial factor in cases of environment by rodents, snakes and other venomous creatures. It is also important in uptake of vaccines by adults who may be susceptible vaccine preventable diseases. It is therefore important to find out what the actual situation is in relation to availability and storage facilities for vaccines.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Perception and Attitude towards Vaccination among Parents in Low-income Communities using Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
