Abstract
Childhood vaccination is a very effective public health intervention. Fear of pain during vaccination reduces vaccine willingness and can be addressed by interventions. We aimed to identify behavioural determinants of the use of pain-reducing interventions by Preventive Child Healthcare (PCH) physicians and nurses and the associations of sociodemographic characteristics with these behavioural determinants. We invited all PCH professionals of one municipal health service (Groningen, the Netherlands; n = 180) to fill in an online questionnaire on behavioural determinants of the use of pain-reducing interventions, based on the ASE (Attitude-Social influence-self-Efficacy) model of behaviour. We evaluated the associations of their background characteristics with their responses using logistic regression analyses. Of the 83 PCH professionals, 95% considered it important to reduce pain during vaccination, 90% intended to liaise with children and parents about pain mitigation, and 85% reported a high self-efficacy regarding the use of pain-reducing interventions. Lack of time and knowledge about pain reduction, and difficulties in the use of pain mitigation were negatively associated with the use of pain-reducing interventions. Nurses were more likely than physicians to liaise with children and parents about pain mitigation during vaccination (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval 8.86, 1.62 to 48.4) and believe they are competent to mitigate pain during vaccination (6.27, 1.65 to 23.9). CONCLUSION: Most PCH professionals acknowledge the importance of reducing pain during vaccination but experience various barriers in the use of pain-reducing interventions. Education of professionals might contribute to the adherence to guidelines regarding pain reduction. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Childhood vaccination is a very effective public health intervention. • Fear of pain during vaccination reduces vaccine willingness and can be addressed by interventions. WHAT IS NEW: • Most Preventive Child Healthcare physicians and nurses acknowledge the importance of reducing pain during vaccination but experience various barriers in the use of pain-reducing interventions. • Education of professionals might contribute to the adherence to guidelines regarding pain reduction.