Perception of sickle cell disease patients and caregivers towards vaccines against opportunistic infections in sickle cell disease in Central India
1
Community and Family medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Raipur, Raipur, India
2
Community Medicine, Pacific Institute of Medical Sciences, Umarda, Udaipur, India
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Sickle cell disease (SCD), a neglected genetic disorder, is highly prevalent among tribals of India. Because of functional hypo/asplenism, SCD patients are more susceptible to opportunistic infections, requiring vaccination for infection prevention. Vaccine acceptance is influenced by personal experience, access to information, healthcare worker (HCW) recommendations, and cultural beliefs. Therefore, this study aimed to assess perceptions of SCD patients and their caregivers towards vaccines against opportunistic infections. Methodology – This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Immunization clinic of AIIMS, Raipur, among the SCD patients aged ≥ 18 years or caregivers of patients aged < 18 years. All eligible patients (153 sample size) were included. Socio-demographic details, knowledge of SCD and optional vaccines, and vaccination willingness were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Perceptions towards optional vaccines were evaluated using the health belief model (HBM). Data were entered in EpiData and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests in SPSS.
RESULTS:
The mean age of respondents was 31.05 ± 8.35 years, and the mean age at diagnosis was 8.4 ± 8.98 years. Among those who received any optional vaccine (54.9%), majority of the patients had taken pneumococcal, followed by meningococcal and influenza vaccines. The mean HBM perception score was 71.39 ± 8.50 (55 to 94). Subscale means for susceptibility 7.09 ± 1.92, severity 7.87 ± 1.89, benefits 20.05 ± 2.91, barriers 17.71 ± 4.68, and cues to action 71.39 ± 8.50. Respondents having higher education, higher socio-economic class, greater expenditure on SCD, non-HCW as the source of information for SCD and its vaccines, adequate knowledge about SCD and its vaccines, and willingness to accept vaccines had significantly better perception scores towards optional vaccines.
CONCLUSIONS:
Increasing awareness among socio-economically weaker groups and providing reliable information by HCW may improve perception and thereby enhance vaccine acceptance among SCD patients and their caregivers.
Sickle cell disease (SCD), a neglected genetic disorder, is highly prevalent among tribals of India. Because of functional hypo/asplenism, SCD patients are more susceptible to opportunistic infections, requiring vaccination for infection prevention. Vaccine acceptance is influenced by personal experience, access to information, healthcare worker (HCW) recommendations, and cultural beliefs. Therefore, this study aimed to assess perceptions of SCD patients and their caregivers towards vaccines against opportunistic infections. Methodology – This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Immunization clinic of AIIMS, Raipur, among the SCD patients aged ≥ 18 years or caregivers of patients aged < 18 years. All eligible patients (153 sample size) were included. Socio-demographic details, knowledge of SCD and optional vaccines, and vaccination willingness were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Perceptions towards optional vaccines were evaluated using the health belief model (HBM). Data were entered in EpiData and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests in SPSS.
RESULTS:
The mean age of respondents was 31.05 ± 8.35 years, and the mean age at diagnosis was 8.4 ± 8.98 years. Among those who received any optional vaccine (54.9%), majority of the patients had taken pneumococcal, followed by meningococcal and influenza vaccines. The mean HBM perception score was 71.39 ± 8.50 (55 to 94). Subscale means for susceptibility 7.09 ± 1.92, severity 7.87 ± 1.89, benefits 20.05 ± 2.91, barriers 17.71 ± 4.68, and cues to action 71.39 ± 8.50. Respondents having higher education, higher socio-economic class, greater expenditure on SCD, non-HCW as the source of information for SCD and its vaccines, adequate knowledge about SCD and its vaccines, and willingness to accept vaccines had significantly better perception scores towards optional vaccines.
CONCLUSIONS:
Increasing awareness among socio-economically weaker groups and providing reliable information by HCW may improve perception and thereby enhance vaccine acceptance among SCD patients and their caregivers.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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