Child Immunization in First Nation Population Term Paper

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Diversity in Nursing: Synopsis of Multiple Perspectives

Tarrant & Gregory (2003) in their article "Exploring childhood immunization uptake with First Nations mothers in north-western Ontario, Canada" discusses childhood immunizations and preventive care. Specifically the researchers aimed to explore beliefs First Nations parents hold regarding childhood immunizations, and what factors may influence immunization uptake. Studies suggest that Native American children generally receive lower immunization coverage than children in Canada according to the study.

Using a qualitative descriptive design the researchers interviewed twenty-eight mothers within Native Indian communities in Canada regarding vaccine preventable illnesses. The results of the study suggests that First Nations parental beliefs regarding immunizations may positively or negatively influence a child's immunization uptake. The research also suggests that education may enable families to make better decisions regarding their child's health care and immunization uptake.

The researchers do point out in their work that other studies support that immunization uptake may be negatively impacted by "parental misperceptions, vaccine side-effects and negative outcomes from vaccinations" among other related factors (Tarrant & Gregory, 63). The study confirms that despite increasing exposure to preventable illnesses First Nations mothers did not necessarily change their misperceptions or attitudes regarding vaccination. As a result more first nations children experienced higher rates of disease than children in other communities. The data revealed that First Nations parents were more likely to have concerns regarding the efficacy of immunizations, the experience itself and consequences of immunization, interactions with health professionals and also experience more barriers to immunizations (Tarrant & Gregory, 2003).

How This Article Affects Nursing

Nurses face many challenges in the health care arena none the least of which is providing care for a diverse population.

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Individuals needing health care come from many different cultural, ethnic, socio-economic and religious environments. All of these factors may impact their ability to access or partake in healthcare. As we can see from the article above, diversity plays a tremendous influence in First Nations parents' beliefs about immunizations and subsequent immunization uptake. This theme is common in many healthcare settings.

Hutchison & Quartaro (1993) support recognizing diversity and point out in their article "Training imperatives for volunteers caring for high-risk, vulnerable populations" that it is important for caregivers to "anticipate the caring needs of high risk populations" including culturally diverse populations (88). Nurses must be trained not only to recognize cultural or other influences that may impeded care, but also must work quickly to plan for appropriate care and provide an environment for patients where they feel supported and understood (Hutchison & Quartero, 1993). The authors also emphasize the importance of caregiver's role as an agent responsible for strengthening family ties where appropriate and intervening to provide for immediate survival needs, which may "vary according to locale, age, sex, sociocultural factors and availability of supportive resources" (89).

Pulido et. al (2001) also support the idea that immunization uptake may be a result of ethnic or cultural beliefs and socio-economic conditions. In their article "Vaccinating Asian Pacific Islander children against Hepatitis B" the researchers examine ethnic-specific barriers and social influences that prevent children from receiving adequate vaccinations. Their research suggests that factors influencing a child's coverage against Hepatitis B prior to….....

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