Trust and a school-located immunization program.

PURPOSE

To determine variables associated with parental trust in a school-located immunization program (SLIP) and the effect of trust-building interventions on trust and participation in SLIPs.

METHODS

Parents among eight schools randomized to a trust-building intervention or a control condition (four schools each) completed a five-item trust survey before SLIP implementation both in year 1 (fall 2012) and in year 2 (fall 2013). Mean trust scores were calculated. Associations between baseline demographic and experiential variables and mean trust scores were analyzed. Mean trust scores in intervention and control schools were compared before SLIP in years 1 and 2, and SLIP participation rates were noted.

RESULTS

From year 1, 1,608 parent surveys were analyzed. Baseline mean trust score across schools was 3.59 of 5 (5 = highest trust). In a multiple linear regression model, annual household income, survey language version, participation in a previous SLIP, child's health insurance status, and perceived vaccine importance were significantly associated with parental trust in SLIPs (R(2)= .06, p < .001). There was no difference in mean trust scores between intervention and control schools (p = .8). In year 2, 844 surveys were analyzed, and a modest difference was observed between intervention and control schools (mean trust score = 3.66 and 3.57, respectively, p = .07). SLIP participation rates appeared higher in intervention (7.7%) versus control schools (4.3%) in year 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline trust in SLIPs among a low-income, largely Hispanic group of parents in Texas was moderately high. Factors associated with trust included demographic and experiential variables, and interventions aimed at increasing parents' perception of vaccine importance and participation in SLIPs may be effective in increasing parental trust in SLIPs.