Parents' attitudes towards immunisation in Wales according to socio-economic group: a preliminary investigation

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Abstract
A SAMPLE of 228 parents and care-givers in a Welsh valley community responded to a structured inter view by giving their understanding of, and attitudes towards, various aspects of immunisation. The data were analysed according to the socio-economic sta tus (SES) of respondents. A consistent trend towards lower reported uptake of immunisation was found amongst the lower SES groups, although this was only significant for pertussis and mumps, measles and rubbella (MMR). Perceived risks and benefits of immunisation did not differ according to SES. How ever, respondents in the lower SES groups consist ently rated immunisation as less important than those in the higher SES groups. Concern about long- term negative health consequences was found for all vaccines, in particular pertussis. Many respondents withdrew their child from immunisation as a result of negative experiences of previous injections. The implications of these findings are discussed.