Affiliations: [a] Faculty of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| [b]
Department of Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Jurica Arapovic, MD, PhD, ID specialist, Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mostar, Bijeli Brijeg b.b. 88000, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tel.: +387 63 433 196 / +387 36 335 628; Fax: +387 36 335 601; E-mail: jurica.arapovic@mef.sum.ba.
Abstract: PURPOSE:The aim of this study is to determine the factors influencing the decrease of the vaccination rate among children with nonprogressive neurodevelopmental disorders in Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS:This study included 149 parents of children with nonprogressive neurodevelopmental disorders. The children were rehabilitated at the University Clinical Hospital Mostar, from October 2017 to February 2019. RESULTS:The vaccination rate of children with nonprogressive neurodevelopmental disorders was 34.9% (P < 0.001). Based on the results of this study, physicians were the most common source of information on vaccines and vaccination procedures for parents (70.3%), whereas the media was rarely used as the source of the information (33%) (P < 0.001). Of the cases, 58.4% accepted the opinion of the pediatrician (P = 0.041). The vaccination of children was postponed on the physician’s recommendation in 87.6% of the cases (P < 0.001). Among healthcare professionals, neuropediatricians or neurophysiatrists (P = 0.023), together with pediatricians (P < 0.001), most often suggested postponing the vaccination. CONCLUSION:Overall, this study showed that the majority of children with nonprogressive neurodevelopmental disorders were unvaccinated. The majority of the parents trusted the physicians’ opinion on vaccination. Neuropediatricians and neurophysiatrists most often postponed the regular vaccination of children.
