• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.113-128
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• 2009

Purpose: To explore the barriers and solutions of immunization programs for children among vulnerable classes in the position of service providers in Community health centers. Method: Data were collected through focus group interviews with 3 groups (17 providers), and were analyzed according to the analytic method of Morgan (1998) and Krueger (1998). Results: The following five categories were identified: difficulties in obtaining a list of children among vulnerable classes, difficulties in first contact with them, difficulties in up-to-date immunization, various difficulties according to the types of vulnerable family and suggestions of solution. These results indicated that there are many difficulties in providing expanded immunization service for children among vulnerable classes in terms of manpower, cooperation of departments in public health centers and linkages between health and welfare. Finally, the characteristics of the types of vulnerable family need to be elucidated. Conclusion: To increase immunization rates among children of vulnerable classes, policies need to be prepared at the public health organization itself and the linkages between health and welfare and need for hiring additional personnel.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2012

The need for evidence-based decision making in immunization programs has increased due to the presence of multiple health priorities, limited human resources, expensive vaccines, and limited funds. Countries should establish a group of national experts to advise their Ministries of Health. So far, many nations have formed their own National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs). In the Republic of Korea, the Korea Expert Committee on Immunization Practices (KECIP), established by law in the early 1990s, has made many important technical recommendations to contribute to the decline in vaccine preventable diseases and currently functions as a NITAG. It includes 13 core members and 2 non-core members, including a chairperson. Core members usually come from affiliated organizations in internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, microbiology, preventive medicine, nursing and a representative from a consumer group, all of whom serve two year terms. Non-core members comprise two government officials belonging to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and the Korea Food and Drug Administration. Meetings are held as needed, but at least twice a year, and sub-committees are formed as a resource for gathering, analyzing, and preparing information for the KECIP meetings. Once the sub-committees or the KCDC review the available data, the KECIP members discuss each issue in depth and develop recommendations, usually by a consensus in the meeting. The KECIP publishes national guidelines and immunization schedules that are updated regularly. KECIP's role is essentially consultative and the implementation of their recommendations may depend on the budget or current laws.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.267-275
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the potential health impacts and improve the quality of the free immunization program in Jinju City by maximizing the predicted positive health gains and minimizing the negative health risks. Methods: A steering committee was established in September 2010 to carry out the health impact assessment (HIA) and began the screening and scoping stages. In the appraisal stage, analysis of secondary data, a literature review, case studies, geographic information systems analysis, a questionnaire, and expert consultations were used. The results of the data collection and analyses were discussed during a workshop, after which recommendations were finalized in a written report. Results: Increased access to immunization, comprehensive services provided by physicians, the strengthened role of the public health center in increasing immunization rates and services, and the ripple effect to other neighboring communities were identified as potential positive impacts. On the other hand, the program might be inaccessible to rural regions with no private clinics where there are more at-risk children, vaccine management and quality control at the clinics may be poor, and vaccines may be misused. Recommendations to maximize health gains and minimize risks were separately developed for the public health center and private clinics. Conclusions: The HIA provided an opportunity for stakeholders to comprehensively overview the potential positive and negative impacts of the program before it was implemented. An HIA is a powerful tool that should be used when developing and implementing diverse health-related policies and programs in the community.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7325-7329
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• 2013

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infectious agents, and the effectiveness of vaccine delivery programs will depend largely upon whether providers recommend vaccines. The objectives of this study were to examine pediatrician characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes associated with HPV and HPV immunization. Materials and Methods: Attendees of the national pediatric meeting in 2011, were asked to complete a questionnaire that, aside from demographic information, elicited level of agreement with statements regarding HPV, its related diseases, and HPV vaccination. It also documented attitudes and beliefs about HPV vaccination. Results: Of the 480 attendees, 226 (47%) filled in the questionnaire. The level of pediatrician HPV-related knowledge varied. The majority (78%) were aware that HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection, while 51% were unaware that a condom is ineffective protection against HPV infection. Between 60-80% of respondents were aware of the effectiveness of HPV vaccination for women. On the other hand, only 10% were aware of reasons why men should be vaccinated against HPV. The majority (75%) of Turkish pediatricians were likely to recommend HPV vaccination to their daughter, if they had one. Seventy percent of pediatricians agreed that the HPV vaccination should be added to the National Immunization Program (NIP) in Turkey. However, the respondents documented concerns about the cost of the vaccination. Conclusions: Increasing pediatricians' knowledge and awareness of HPV and HPV vaccination may assist with the implementation of an effective NIP.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.172-179
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• 2023

Objectives: Vaccination is an important intervention for preventing disease and reducing disease severity. Universal vaccination programs have significantly reduced the incidence of many dangerous diseases among children worldwide. This study investigated the side effects after immunization in infants under 1 year of age in Lorestan Province, western Iran. Methods: This descriptive analytical study included data from all children <1 year old in Lorestan Province, Iran who were vaccinated according to the national schedule in 2020 and had an adverse event following immunization (AEFI). Data were extracted from 1084 forms on age, sex, birth weight, type of birth, AEFI type, vaccine type, and time of vaccination. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage) were calculated, and the chi-square test and Fisher exact test were used to assess differences in AEFIs according to the abovelisted variables. Results: The most frequent AEFIs were high fever (n=386, 35.6%), mild local reaction (n=341, 31.5%), and swelling and pain (n=121, 11.2%). The least common AEFIs were encephalitis (n=1, 0.1%), convulsion (n=2, 0.2%), and nodules (n=3, 0.3%). Girls and boys only showed significant differences in mild local reactions (p=0.044) and skin allergies (p=0.002). The incidence of lymphadenitis (p<0.001), severe local reaction (p<0.001), mild local reaction (p=0.007), fainting (p=0.032), swelling and pain (p=0.006), high fever (p=0.005), and nodules (p<0.001) showed significant differences based on age at vaccination. Conclusions: Immunization is a fundamental public health policy for controlling vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. Although vaccines such as the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine, oral poliovirus vaccine, and pentavalent vaccine are well-researched and reliable, AEFIs are inevitable.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 2020

Purpose: HPV vaccination is important for the prevention of cervical cancer and genital warts and it is recommended that females be vaccinated against HPV before having sexual contact. Although the national HPV immunization has recently started in Korea, the vaccination rate is still not high. This is a relevant study attempting to investigate the factors affecting the vaccination status of female adolescents in the target age groups focusing on mothers' knowledge and health beliefs of HPV vaccines. Methods: Participants were 206 mothers who had daughters at the target age for the national HPV vaccination program living in a metropolitan city. Data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire about HPV knowledge and health beliefs of HPV vaccines, consisting of perceived susceptibility seriousness, benefits, barriers, and cues to action. Results: The participants' knowledge of HPV was significantly correlated with the overall health beliefs. The factors influencing mothers regarding the HPV vaccination status of their adolescent daughters were found to be perceived barriers, advice on vaccination from medical staff, and perceived benefits. Conclusion: There is a need to organize subject-specific education programs focusing on correcting misinformation about the side effects and benefits of HPV vaccines. When operating education programs, it is recommended that participants include both students and their parents, that various approaches be implemented such as formal health classes, home correspondence and online education, and that medical personnel be also involved as education providers.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.241-251
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• 2007

Purpose: To identify the effects on tuberculosis mortality of a tuberculosis control program conducted at 108 community health centers in terms of structure and process. Methods: The dependent variable was tuberculosis mortality, and the independent variables were the structure(type of centers, staff, nurses, doctors, budget) and process(chest X-ray checking, immunization, case detection, health education, patients registering & managing) of the tuberculosis control programs at the community health centers. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and stepwise regression analysis. Result: Tuberculosis morality was positively correlated with type of centers(rural area)(p<0.01), but negatively correlated with type of centers(large cities) (p<0.01), (middle cities)(p<0.05), staff FTE(p<0.05), and number of nurses(p<0.05). Regression analysis indicated that type of centers(rural area)($\beta$=0.457) and case detection($\beta$=0.234) had a significant effect on tuberculosis mortality. Conclusion: Ultimately, this study will provide information to improve the effectiveness of tuberculosis control programs in community health centers.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.216-224
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• 2021

Purpose: Global collaboration to accelerate development and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines was launched with the name of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A), and this initiative owes its expertise to the lessons learned of the global health organizations. To date, the comprehensive mechanisms and potential effects of the initiative remain largely unknown. Methods: This study reviewed the programs of Gavi, the Global Fund, Unitaid, and ACT-A, which mitigating barriers to greater use of health technology with an analytic framework. Results and conclusion: The study findings are as follows. First, programs to alleviate the absence of necessary technology include the International Finance Facility for Immunization and Covax Facility. Second, Pooled Procurement Mechanism and Accelerated Order Mechanism are examples of mitigating the inability to access technology. Third, programs to overcome reluctance to adopt accessible technology include health system strengthening efforts such as the capacity-building health workforces. Further actions of Korea are needed to collaborate with the initiatives to enhance health outcomes.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.175-185
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• 2021

Purpose: Influenza immunization among health personnel is of particular importance given their elevated risk of influenza infection, role in transmission and influence on patients' immunization status. The purpose of this study is to identify factors associated with the influenza vaccination intention among health personnel based on the theory of planned behavior. Methods: The research was a cross-sectional, descriptive design using questionnaires. The participants were 131 health personnel in five general hospitals in two cities in South Korea. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression with the SPSS 26.0 program. Results: There were statistically significant differences in influenza vaccination intention according to the high-risk group in the family, occupation, length of employment, and influenza vaccination status within a year. The influenza vaccination intention of these health personnel showed significant positive correlations with attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control towards influenza vaccination. Multiple regression analysis for influenza vaccination intention revealed that the significant predictors were attitude, subjective norms, influenza vaccination within a year and physician in occupation. These factors explained 41.4% of the variance. Conclusion: The results suggest a need to strengthen attitude and subjective norms. The findings also suggest that their characteristics through influenza vaccination status within a year and occupation should be considered for tailored interventions related to the intention. Furthermore, it is necessary to develop programs strengthening attitude and subjective norms to enhance influenza vaccination intention among health personnel.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.270-279
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to find the influential factors of nursing students' behavioral intention of Recommended Immunizations for Healthcare Personnel(RIHP). The survey was performed on 260 nursing students. Data were collected using a structured questionnaires and analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and hierarchical regression with SPSS 23.0 program. Results of this study revealed that the influential factors on the behavioral intention of RIHP were the cues to action, self-efficacy, perceived benefits and senior grade. And the explanation power of the regression model appeared as being 36.4%(F=13.35, p<.001). Based on the study findings, further development and application of specific programs to improve nursing students' intention of RIHP in consideration of grade, to emphasize benefits of immunization, are needed to prevent infection in clinical practice.