Knowledge, attitudes and practices of caregivers regarding Japanese encephalitis in Shaanxi Province, China

Objectives: To describe the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of caregivers regarding Japanese encephalitis (JE) before and after the launch of a demonstration project to transition JE vaccination into the routine Expanded Programme on Immunization and strengthen the JE immunization programme in Baoji Prefecture, Shaanxi Province; and to identify factors determining vaccination. Study design: Cross-sectional surveys on KAP on JE disease and vaccination at baseline and post intervention. Methods: KAP surveys among caregivers were conducted in six counties of Baoji Prefecture using the World Health Organization probability proportional to size sampling method. Results: The surveys at baseline (3781 respondents) and after a 2-year project (3780 respondents) demonstrated that the intervention resulted in a significant increase in the level of knowledge about, and changes in attitudes towards JE disease and vaccination, and an improvement in the proportion of children vaccinated. A probit regression of pooled pre- and post-intervention survey data suggested that knowledge, education level and age of caregivers were significantly associated with the likelihood of a child getting vaccinated. Conclusions: Routine availability of vaccine and information, education and communication strategies played important roles in improving knowledge and achieving high vaccination rates. (C) 2010 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.