Knowledge and attitudes about vaccinations among adolescents

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate among adolescents in Antwerp their knowledge about vaccination and to describe their information sources, motives and barriers for vaccination. METHODS: In March 2009, adolescents aged between 14 and 17 years from three schools with a mixed Belgian and immigrant population in Antwerp completed a written questionnaire concerning vaccination. The questionnaire was already used and validated in a study in five European countries: France, Italy, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom. RESULTS: In total 186 adolescents completed the questionnaire. Most of them (93%) knew that vaccination is a method to prevent disease. Most adolescents knew about the existence of vaccines against tetanus (94%), hepatitis B (91%) and human papillomavirus (87%). The most important sources for information were the family physician (83%), the school (79%) and the parents (70%). Their knowledge about vaccinations was not related to courses about vaccination at school. CONCLUSIONS: The physician, the school and the parents play a key role in the vaccination of adolescents. Our results are in many aspects similar to those in the other European countries.