Measles immunization acceptance in Southeast Asia: past patterns and future challenges

Abstract

Despite substantial increases in immunization rates, measles remains a major health problem in developing countries of Southeast Asia. The authors of this paper undertook separate investigations which examined factors influencing measles immunization acceptance in the rural Philippines, Central Java, Indonesia, and an impoverished neighborhood in Bangkok, Thailand. We briefly summarize the findings of our three field investigations before presenting a synthesizing analysis of the psychosocial and demographic factors which affect measles immunization. We then review trends influencing measles acceptance in industrialized countries to anticipate possible future challenges to measles immunization acceptance in Southeast Asia in an era of increasing globalization and information transfer. We suggest that parental perceptions of the risks and benefits of immunization, philosophical and religious convictions and state and social regulatory policies will profoundly influence measles immunization in the new millennium.