Childhood Vaccine Beliefs Reported by Somali and Non-Somali Parents

Article Figures & Data

Table 1. Demographics of Parents Completing the Written Survey

Demographics	Total (n = 99)	Somali (n = 27)	Non-Somali (n = 69)
Mean age (years)	33.0 (8.4)	31.4 (6.4)	33.2 (8.7)
Female	83.3	92.3	80.9
Mean number of children	3.0 (1.9)	3.8 (1.9)	2.6 (1.8)
College education or higher	34.4	26.1	38.2
Mean years in the United States^*	12.6 (6.6)	12.1 (5.3)	13.7 (9.0)
Uses interpreter for clinic visits	15.8	53.9	1.5

Table 2. Vaccines for Children Refused by Parents in a Written Survey

Vaccine	Total (n = 96)	Somali (n = 27)	Non-Somali (n = 69)	P Value
MMR	10.4 (10)	22.2 (6)	5.8 (4)	.03
Hepatitis B	4.2 (4)	0 (0)	5.8 (4)	.57
Varicella	1.0 (1)	0 (0)	1.4 (1)	1.00
DTaP	1.0 (1)	0 (0)	1.4 (1)	1.00
Rotavirus	1.0 (1)	0 (0)	1.4 (1)	1.00
Influenza	6.3 (6)	3.7 (1)	7.2 (5)	1.00
Other	1.0 (1)	0 (0)	1.4 (1)	1.00

Table 3. Percentage of Participants Who Agree or Strongly Agree with Each Statement

	Total (n = 96)	Somali (n = 27)	Non-Somali (n = 69)	P Value
Children get too many vaccines.	39.4	65.4	29.4	.01
Getting vaccines is a good way to protect my child from disease.	90.4	92.8	84.0	.24
There is no proven link between autism and vaccines.	42.7	56.0	37.5	.15
Childhood vaccines are very safe.	76.3	76.0	76.5	1.00
Every child should get all recommended vaccines.	79.6	88.0	76.5	.26
People should have the right to refuse vaccines for any reason.	55.6	66.7	51.5	.24
Vaccines are given to prevent diseases that are not serious.	37.4	45.8	34.3	.34

For the next set of questions, mark the box next to each question that best fits your opinion.

	Strongly Agree	Agree	Neutral	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
18. Getting vaccines is a good way to protect my child(ren)from disease.	☐	☐	☐	☐	☐
19. I have access to all the information I need to make decisions about vaccines.	☐	☐	☐	☐	☐
20. Childhood vaccines are very safe.	☐	☐	☐	☐	☐
21. Children get too many vaccines.	☐	☐	☐	☐	☐
22. Every child should receive all recommended vaccinations.	☐	☐	☐	☐	☐
23. People should have the right to refuse vaccinations for any reason.	☐	☐	☐	☐	☐
24. It is important to vaccinate people to prevent the spread of disease in my community.	☐	☐	☐	☐	☐
25. Vaccines are given to prevent diseases that are not serious.	☐	☐	☐	☐	☐
26. There is no proven scientific link between childhood vaccines and autism.	☐	☐	☐	☐	☐