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Psychological Factors Associated with the Uptake of Measles Immunization

Findings and Implications for Prevention

School of Public Health, University of Munich, Germany

Andreas Markuzzi

School of Public Health, University of Munich, Germany

Susanne Vogel

School of Public Health, University of Munich, Germany

Ursula Schlipköter

School of Public Health, University of Munich, Germany

Hans-Joachim Koch

Institute of Psychology, University of Munich, Germany

Gaby Meyer

Community Health Service, Medical School-Service Department, Munich, Germany

Dieter Ferring

Faculty of Psychology, University of Trier, Germany

A cross-sectional study of 8204 children was performed to investigate the prevalence of immunization against measles, mumps and rubella and possible determinants of immunization uptake. The study was approached from a Lewinian perspective on preventive behaviour. Seventy-one questions referring to the guardian of the child, his or her partner, the household and the child, as well as to immunization-related experiences and situational topics were asked. Two psychological variables were studied: health locus of control and subjective relevance concerning measles. The immunization rate was 77.7 percent [95 percent confidence interval 76.8-78.6]. Multiple logistic regression yielded the following odds ratios for non- uptake of measles immunization: natural health orientation 8.74 [6.72-11.37]; advice of paediatrician 6.02 [4.67-7.75]; dangerousness of measles 2.00 [1.53-2.60]; marital status 1.87 [1.31-2.51]; assessed reliability of vaccination 1.57 [1.23-2.01]; smoking 1.55 [1.21-1.98]; and number of siblings 1.55 [1.21- 1.98]. Parents or guardians of immunized children were more internal and assessed measles as more relevant than those of non- immunized children.

Key Words: health behaviour • health promotion • immunization, measles • preventive medicine

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 3, No. 2, 273-284 (1998)
DOI: 10.1177/135910539800300210


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