The study was published in 2026 in the Asian Journal of Healthcare Analytics and focused on mothers visiting the Basirih Public Health Center in South Kalimantan. The findings highlight how accessible health education can strengthen public awareness and potentially increase immunization coverage among children.
Basic immunization is one of the most effective ways to protect infants from dangerous infectious diseases, including hepatitis B, tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, and rubella. However, many parents still lack accurate information about vaccine schedules, benefits, and possible side effects.
According to Theresia Jamini, insufficient access to health information remains one of the main reasons mothers hesitate to complete their children’s immunization schedules. Some parents fear that immunization may cause fever, fussiness, or discomfort in babies, leading them to discontinue vaccinations before completion.
Data from the Basirih Public Health Center revealed a concerning decline in immunization coverage between 2021 and 2022. In 2021, average immunization coverage among infants reached 66.66 percent. By 2022, the figure had dropped to 42.85 percent. The decline reflected persistent gaps in public understanding regarding the importance of complete basic immunization.
The research involved 30 mothers with infants and used a pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design. Before receiving health education, participants completed a questionnaire measuring their understanding of basic immunization. Researchers then conducted counseling sessions supported by informational leaflets. Afterward, participants completed the same questionnaire to evaluate changes in knowledge levels.
The results showed a substantial improvement.
Before receiving health education:
- None of the mothers had a “good” level of knowledge
- Only 13.3 percent demonstrated sufficient understanding
- A total of 86.7 percent fell into the low-knowledge category
After receiving health education:
- 53.3 percent achieved a good level of knowledge
- 46.7 percent demonstrated sufficient knowledge
- No respondents remained in the low-knowledge category
Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon Signed Test produced a significance value of 0.000, indicating that the improvement was statistically significant. The findings confirmed that health education had a direct and measurable effect on mothers’ understanding of basic immunization.
The study also identified several factors influencing knowledge levels, including age, educational background, and occupation. Most respondents were between 26 and 35 years old, while the majority worked as housewives. Junior high school graduates represented the largest educational group among participants.
Theresia Jamini explained that mothers with higher educational backgrounds generally found it easier to understand health-related information. However, she emphasized that knowledge is not only gained through formal education. Counseling programs, seminars, social media, and internet access can also play important roles in improving public health awareness.
The research demonstrated that simple communication methods can effectively improve understanding of:
- The purpose of immunization,
- Vaccine schedules,
- Types of vaccines,
- Post-immunization side effects,
- And adverse events following immunization (AEFI).
Researchers also found that printed leaflets helped participants better absorb and remember the information delivered during counseling sessions.
Beyond improving knowledge, the study suggests that consistent health education programs may help increase childhood immunization rates in communities with low vaccine participation. This is especially important because immunization remains one of the most effective public health interventions for reducing infant and child mortality caused by preventable diseases.
The findings support previous studies showing that health education plays a critical role in shaping public health behavior. Clear and accessible communication from healthcare workers can reduce misconceptions and fear surrounding childhood vaccination.
Theresia Jamini recommended that public health centers intensify routine educational outreach for parents, especially mothers with infants. She also suggested expanding educational methods through digital media and video-based learning to make health information more engaging and easier to understand.
For healthcare providers and policymakers, the study offers practical evidence that community-based health education programs can strengthen immunization awareness and support national vaccination targets.
Author Profile
Theresia Jamini is affiliated with Institut Kesehatan Suaka Insan Banjarmasin. Her research focuses on health promotion, maternal education, and community-based healthcare interventions related to child immunization.
Research Source
Article title: The Effects of Providing Health Education About Basic Immunization on The Level of Mothers' Knowledge at Basirih Public Health Centre, South Kalimantan
Published in: Asian Journal of Healthcare Analytics, Vol. 5 No. 1, 2026
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