All issues > Volume 46(7); 2003

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2003;46(7):647-654. Published online July 15, 2003.

A Questionnaire on Using Informed Consents of Parents or Guardians in Vaccination of Children

Seung-Hi SH Paik¹, Eun Hee EH Chung¹, Mie Ryung MR Uhm¹, Son Moon SM Shin¹, Woo Gill WG Lee¹, Mi Na MN Lee¹, Hoan Jong HJ Lee²

¹Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Cheil Hospital, College of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
²Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Eun Hee EH Chung ,Email: domini0@unitel.co.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: This study was done to evaluate the parents' or guardians' compliance of obtaining individual informed consent before vaccination and the possible problems of using informed consent.
Methods
: One hundred and twelve children were randomly selected among 2,820 children who visited Samsung Cheil Hospital during July 2002. A questionnaire about using informed consent of vaccination was given to all parents or guardians of these children.
Results
: Most of the responders were mothers(80.4%). As for the places of vaccination, 87(77.7%) persons vaccinated their children at general hospitals. In response to a request for informed consent of vaccination, 73(65.2%) complied well with requests every time. In subscribing to informed consent, 62(55.4%) were pleased, 40(35.7%) stated it was necessary despite in inconveniance. Because of dislike of subscribing to informed consent(55), 33(60%) persons stated that it was difficult to subscribe to informed consent during the inconveniant time of nursing baby. Eighty(71.4%) found it useful to read informed consent for an understanding of potential negative reactions. Being informed of potential negative reactions, 105(93.8%) stated that they would vaccinate their children despite of the potential of a worrisome negative reaction. In dealing with negative reaction, 77(68.8%) said that they would contact a hospital, 32(28.6%) said that they would care for their children at home. Eleven(9.8 %) experienced negative reactions after vaccination.
Conclusion
: Compliance of parents to informed consent was relatively good. Parents or guardians should receive relevant information and the aim of informed consent also should be adequately understood.

Keywords :Vaccination, Compliance, Informed consent