Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Σχεδιασμός και Διοίκηση Υπηρεσιών ΥγείαςLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Supervisors info:
Ιωάννης Τούντας, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ, Επιβλέπων
Μαρία Καντζανού, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Βασιλική Μπενέτου, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Διερεύνηση εμβολιαστικής κάλυψης σε παιδιά προσφύγων στην Ελλάδα
Translated title:
Investigation of vaccination coverage in refugee children in Greece
Summary:
Background: Continuous monitoring of a country's vaccine coverage under the National Vaccination Program is one of its public health indicators. A qualitative study was performed to investigate the vaccine coverage of refugee children in Greece in the host structures and compartments of the ESTIA program in 2019 to identify any factors for failure of complete immunization.
Methodology: The study population was refugee children aged 3 months to 14 years. 100 families with at least one child at the desired age were randomly selected and the survey questionnaire was distributed. The child to whom the questionnaire was referred to was selected at random, in cases where there was more than one child, by the lottery method. Information on vaccine coverage of children was collected by asking for health records where their vaccines were listed.
Results: The study population included 100 refugee children and data were collected from their parents, 54 fathers and 46 mothers. Most of the children were of Syrian and Afghan origin with a mean age of 5.3 years with 53% being boys and 47% girls. Most children (68.3%) had been vaccinated in their country of origin mainly in outpatient clinics (40%). The majority of children (96.9%) had been vaccinated at least once and most (88.7%) had a vaccination card or health record. Of the total children, only two were fully vaccinated according to their age. The highest rates of complete vaccination were Hepatitis B (62%), DTP diphtheria - tetanus - pertussis (55%), measles - rubella (54%), polio (52%) and Haemophilus influenzae (43%).
Conclusion: The results showed low vaccine coverage which poses a risk to both refugee children and public health through the possibility of disease spread. Although parents showed a positive attitude toward research, incomplete vaccination after moving from the concentration centers indicates the difficulty of vaccinating children according to the National Vaccination Schedule. It emphasizes the need to monitor and administer commemorative doses, facilitate refugee access to public health services, and provide parents with ongoing information on vaccinations.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Vaccinations, Vaccines, Refugees, Vaccination Coverage, National Vaccination Program
