Social Factors Affecting Use of Immunization in Indonesia

This paper examines the importance of certain social and demographic factors in the acceptance of child immunization in rural Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The major findings concern the importance of the role of the community (hamlet) leader in motivating or instructing parents to seek immunization for their children. While these leaders can be effective in conveying information about availability of immunization services, they are not in a position to provide education on immunization function or procedure. The survey results also show that knowledge of the disease-prevention function of the specific vaccines is important, and it is recommended that vaccines be given names which incorporate the name of the disease which they prevent.