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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











































