Mothers’ Misconceptions about Hepatitis B Disease and Hepatitis B Vaccine

Introduction: Hepatitis B vaccination has resulted in dramatic reductions in the prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection among children since its introduction into infant immunization schedules. However, 45% of Vietnamese mothers did not have their infants immunized at birth in 2013-2014.

Aim: To assess mothers’ misconceptions about HBV and HBV vaccinations, as well as barriers to mothers getting their children vaccinated.

Study Design: A qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted from April to October 2015 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam among mothers of children under one year of age. This study consisted of one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) designed to collect information on the mothers’ perceptions about HBV and decisions to immunize their child.

Methodology: Thirty-five mothers of children under one year of age who were completely or incompletely immunized at the Pediatric Number 2 Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam participated in the study. Eligible mothers were identified and recruited by nurses in the Hospital’s vaccination clinic for 10 in-depth interviews and 5 FGDs comprised of 5 mothers each.

Results: With regards to HBV transmission, 25.7%, 22.9% and 34.3% of mothers believed that HBV could be transmitted genetically, through sharing food, or from an unclean environment, respectively. Over half of the mothers (51.4%) were unaware that HBV could be transmitted during childbirth and 34.3% of mothers believed that vaccines which were purchased were more effective than free vaccines from the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).

Conclusion: Public educational interventions should be conducted to clear up the misconceptions identified in this study and to reassure parents that the free vaccines offered through the EPI are of the same quality as the vaccines that are purchased in the private clinics at public hospitals.