Parental knowledge of RSV infection and attitude to infant immunization with monoclonal antibodies in western region, Saudi Arabia

Maryam Al-Jaid, Aseel Alzahrani, Ghaida Alghamdi, Rahaf Alshehri, Raghad Alasmari, Rahgad Althomali, Maha Alsofiani, Shadi Tamur, Sultan Al-Malki, Abdullah Khayat, Ahmad Alzahrani, Sahar Alnefaie, Ghaliah Alnefaie

Abstract

Background: Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a single-stranded (RNA) virus belongs to genus orthopneumovirus. It accounted as one of the main causes of lower respiratory tract infection in the pediatric age group and associated with their hospitalization and morbidity. Prophylactic monoclonal antibodies help in improvement and reduction of the serious complications resulting from the virus. Objective : The aim of this paper is to assess parental knowledge of RSV infection and attitudes to infant immunization with monoclonal antibodies. Method: A cross-sectional study conducted using online questionnaire from February 2023 to June 2023 in western region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A total of 606 of participants, which include any parents or caregiver who believe in childhood vaccination in western region of Saudi Arabia with exclusion of any parents who hesitate towards or refuse childhood vaccinations and outside western region. The statistical analysis done using IBM SPSS. Results: The study included 606 participants from the western province of Saudi Arabia, 218 (36%) were in the age group of 20-30 years, 383 (63.2%) had bachelor degrees And 77(12.7) works in healthcare, RSV was the least known childhood infectious agent (48.7%) of the participants never heard of it. 542 (89.4%) had a positive attitude toward childhood vaccinations in general and (51.2%) toward RSV vaccination with (75.2%) concerned about its safety.Conclusion: Despite the fact that practically all children were exposed to RSV, a sizable percentage of parents never heard of it. We propose that dependable healthcare professionals provide evidence-based information regarding RSV and its safety, effectiveness, and duration of protection against RSV for parents.

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