Woman and Man
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Extract
Background and study aims UK parents continue to be concerned about the safety of the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. National uptake of the MMR vaccine is below the 95% needed to protect the population. Research shows that parents lack confidence in making an informed decision. Good methods to help parents make informed decisions are needed. We recently conducted a small study with 30 parents that explored their views on an MMR decision aid (web site). The next step was to test this decision aid with more parents. This study aimed to test whether a decision aid (web site) for MMR when compared with an MMR leaflet improved informed parental decision-making and increased uptake of the MMR vaccine. We also explored the financial cost of delivering the MMR decision aid versus the MMR leaflet, and asked parents and health professionals how useful they thought the decision aid and leaflet were. Who can participate? The aim was to recruit 576 first-time parents with a child aged 3 to 12 months being offered the first dose of the MMR vaccine. Parents were required to be registered with a participating GP practice in the north of England, have an email address and sufficient English language skills to participate. What does the study involve? The GP practices in the study were randomly allocated to one of three groups. Depending on the group their GP practice were put in, parents either received usual care for MMR from their GP practice (group 1) or usual care plus the MMR decision aid web site (group 2) or usual care plus an MMR leaflet (group 3). We measured parents informed decision-making in a questionnaire at the start of the study and then 2 weeks after the study had started. We also recorded the costs of delivering the MMR decision aid and leaflet and interviewed parents and doctors/nurses about their views on the MMR decision aid and leaflet. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? This study helped us to better understand how parents make decisions about whether or not to immunise their child with the MMR vaccine. The MMR decision aid may help participants themselves and other parents in the future to make an informed decision about the MMR vaccine. There were no risks of taking part, just some demands on parents time. Where is the study run from? The study was run from the University of Leeds, UK. Other organisations involved in the study were the Health Protection Agency and NHS Leeds. When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? This study ran from September 2008 to the end of November 2010. Who is funding the study? The study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Research for Patient Benefit Programme, UK. Who is the main contact? Dr Cath Jackson [email protected]
Inclusion criteria
- Public health - childhood immunisation