Peer-reviewed article

Knowledge and attitudes of mothers regarding childhood immunisation attending the immunisation clinic of a specialised children’s hospital in Central Sri Lanka

R. A. P. G. S. Ranasinghe, S. C. M. Liyanage, M. G. K. K. Wijerathna, A. P. C. N. Gangulani, H. M. N. C. Senarathna et al. · 5 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background: Mothers should be well-informed about the vaccines available in the National Immunisation Programme.Objectives: To assess knowledge and attitudes of mothers attending the immunisation clinic in a specialised children’s hospital regarding the childhood immunisation programme and to find associations between knowledge and attitudes of mothers and their socio-demographic characteristics.Method: Socio-demographic characteristics included age, ethnicity, educational level, occupation, number of children and monthly family income. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire from mothers attending immunisation clinic at a specialised children’s hospital. The collected data were analysed using SPSS version 26. The chi-square test was used to analyse associations between categorical variables.Results: A total of 189 mothers was recruited. Mean knowledge score of mothers was 58%. Nearly 75% mothers had a positive attitude towards vaccination. Knowledge of childhood vaccination was significantly associated with mothers’ level of education (p=0.003), ethnicity (p=0.003), and monthly income (p=0.003). Attitude towards vaccination was significantly associated with mothers’ level of education (p<0.001), ethnicity (p<0.001), and monthly income (p<0.001).Conclusions: Knowledge and attitude of mothers about childhood immunisation were significantly associated with their level of education, ethnicity, and monthly income.