Makhado, LufunoOlofinbiyi, O. B.Mathenjwa, Happiness2025-10-162025-10-162025-09-05Mathenjwa, H. 2025. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of caregivers towards measles and measles vaccine in a selected village in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/3014MPHDepartment of Public HealthDespite the widespread availability of an effective and free measles vaccine, the infection remains a global public health challenge. While barriers to childhood immunization have been extensively studied worldwide, including in South Africa, there is limited information regarding caregivers' specific knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning measles and its vaccination in the South African context. Given the ongoing measles outbreaks in 2022–2024, it is imperative to investigate whether caregivers know their children's vaccination status and the recommended timing for measles immunization. This study aimed to assess the KAP of caregivers toward measles and its vaccine in a selected village in Limpopo Province. The research was conducted alongside a scoping review to synthesize existing global literature on measles and vaccination and to inform the study's direction. The review incorporated keywords related to the study variables and sourced data from peer-reviewed journals, grey literature, and government reports. Subsequently, the study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional, non-experimental descriptive design to gather data from caregivers of children aged six months to twelve years residing in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire designed to measure relevant variables. A simple random sampling method was employed to select 377 eligible respondents. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 29.0) was utilized to analyze the data, presenting findings through tables, frequencies, and percentages, with Pearson correlation analysis used to explore associations. The scoping review identified themes indicating that caregivers possess adequate knowledge about measles; however, attitudes toward the measles vaccine varied, with the majority reporting positive rather than negative attitudes. Factors influencing caregivers' KAP included vaccine hesitancy, demographic characteristics such as the age and educational status of the caregiver, logistic constraints, the caregiver-physician relationship, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The quantitative analysis revealed that most caregivers demonstrated low (32.1%) to moderate (66.2%) knowledge levels, while only 6.8% exhibited high knowledge. Attitude scores indicated that most caregivers (89.3%) held positive attitudes toward measles and its vaccine. Practice scores highlighted that the majority (94.2%) demonstrated generally positive practices. The study found low knowledge could be attributed to limited exposure to measles infections and infrequent discussions with healthcare providers. The study recommends implementing targeted interventions that extend beyond mass community immunization campaigns. These should focus on educating caregivers about identifying measles cases and reinforcing the significance of vaccination, despite the limited exposure to the disease, to sustain community herd immunity.1 online resource (xiii, 81 leaves): color illustrationsenUniversity of VendaKnowledgeUCTDAttitudePracticeVaccinationMeasles614.5230968257Measles -- South Africa --LimpopoVirus diseases -- Vaccination -- South Africa -- LimpopoMeasles vaccine -- South Africa -- LimpopoDissertationMathenjwa H. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of caregivers towards measles and measles vaccine in a selected village in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. []. , 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Mathenjwa, H. (2025). <i>Knowledge, attitudes and practices of caregivers towards measles and measles vaccine in a selected village in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province</i>. (). . Retrieved fromMathenjwa, Happiness. <i>"Knowledge, attitudes and practices of caregivers towards measles and measles vaccine in a selected village in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province."</i> ., , 2025.TY - Dissertation AU - Mathenjwa, Happiness AB - Despite the widespread availability of an effective and free measles vaccine, the infection remains a global public health challenge. While barriers to childhood immunization have been extensively studied worldwide, including in South Africa, there is limited information regarding caregivers' specific knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning measles and its vaccination in the South African context. Given the ongoing measles outbreaks in 2022–2024, it is imperative to investigate whether caregivers know their children's vaccination status and the recommended timing for measles immunization. This study aimed to assess the KAP of caregivers toward measles and its vaccine in a selected village in Limpopo Province. The research was conducted alongside a scoping review to synthesize existing global literature on measles and vaccination and to inform the study's direction. The review incorporated keywords related to the study variables and sourced data from peer-reviewed journals, grey literature, and government reports. Subsequently, the study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional, non-experimental descriptive design to gather data from caregivers of children aged six months to twelve years residing in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire designed to measure relevant variables. A simple random sampling method was employed to select 377 eligible respondents. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 29.0) was utilized to analyze the data, presenting findings through tables, frequencies, and percentages, with Pearson correlation analysis used to explore associations. The scoping review identified themes indicating that caregivers possess adequate knowledge about measles; however, attitudes toward the measles vaccine varied, with the majority reporting positive rather than negative attitudes. Factors influencing caregivers' KAP included vaccine hesitancy, demographic characteristics such as the age and educational status of the caregiver, logistic constraints, the caregiver-physician relationship, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The quantitative analysis revealed that most caregivers demonstrated low (32.1%) to moderate (66.2%) knowledge levels, while only 6.8% exhibited high knowledge. Attitude scores indicated that most caregivers (89.3%) held positive attitudes toward measles and its vaccine. Practice scores highlighted that the majority (94.2%) demonstrated generally positive practices. The study found low knowledge could be attributed to limited exposure to measles infections and infrequent discussions with healthcare providers. The study recommends implementing targeted interventions that extend beyond mass community immunization campaigns. These should focus on educating caregivers about identifying measles cases and reinforcing the significance of vaccination, despite the limited exposure to the disease, to sustain community herd immunity. DA - 2025-09-05 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Knowledge KW - Attitude KW - Practice KW - Vaccination KW - Measles LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2025 T1 - Knowledge, attitudes and practices of caregivers towards measles and measles vaccine in a selected village in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province TI - Knowledge, attitudes and practices of caregivers towards measles and measles vaccine in a selected village in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province UR - ER -