The DECIDA study: Detailed Evaluation of a Childhood Immunisation Decision Aid
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN72521372 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN72521372 |
| Protocol serial number | 08/H1311/23; UKCRN ID 4811 |
| Sponsor | University of Leeds (UK) |
| Funder | National Institute for Health Research, Research for Patient Benefit Programme (ref. PB-PG-0107-12048) |
- Submission date
- 03/06/2013
- Registration date
- 01/07/2013
- Last edited
- 29/10/2013
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Infections and Infestations
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
UK parents continue to be concerned about the safety of the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. National uptake of the MMR vaccine is below the 95% needed to protect the population. Research shows that parents lack confidence in making an informed decision. Good methods to help parents make informed decisions are needed. We recently conducted a small study with 30 parents that explored their views on an MMR decision aid (web site). The next step was to test this decision aid with more parents. This study aimed to test whether a decision aid (web site) for MMR when compared with an MMR leaflet improved informed parental decision-making and increased uptake of the MMR vaccine. We also explored the financial cost of delivering the MMR decision aid versus the MMR leaflet, and asked parents and health professionals how useful they thought the decision aid and leaflet were.
Who can participate?
The aim was to recruit 576 first-time parents with a child aged 3 to 12 months being offered the first dose of the MMR vaccine. Parents were required to be registered with a participating GP practice in the north of England, have an email address and sufficient English language skills to participate.
What does the study involve?
The GP practices in the study were randomly allocated to one of three groups. Depending on the group their GP practice were put in, parents either received usual care for MMR from their GP practice (group 1) or usual care plus the MMR decision aid web site (group 2) or usual care plus an MMR leaflet (group 3). We measured parents informed decision-making in a questionnaire at the start of the study and then 2 weeks after the study had started. We also recorded the costs of delivering the MMR decision aid and leaflet and interviewed parents and doctors/nurses about their views on the MMR decision aid and leaflet.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
This study helped us to better understand how parents make decisions about whether or not to immunise their child with the MMR vaccine. The MMR decision aid may help participants themselves and other parents in the future to make an informed decision about the MMR vaccine. There were no risks of taking part, just some demands on parents time.
Where is the study run from?
The study was run from the University of Leeds, UK. Other organisations involved in the study were the Health Protection Agency and NHS Leeds.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
This study ran from September 2008 to the end of November 2010.
Who is funding the study?
The study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Research for Patient Benefit Programme, UK.
Who is the main contact?
Dr Cath Jackson
Cath.jackson@york.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
York Trials Unit
Department of Health Sciences
ARRC Building
University of York
York
YO10 5DD
United Kingdom
| Phone | 01904 32 1869 |
|---|---|
| cath.jackson@york.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Three-arm cluster randomised controlled trial with qualitative and economic components |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Supporting informed parental decision-making for MMR (the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine): Evaluation of a web-based decision aid |
| Study acronym | DECIDA |
| Study objectives | 1. Parents receiving the web-based MMR decision aid will exhibit increased informed decision making over time relative to parents receiving an MMR leaflet alone. 2. The rate of vaccine uptake will be greater for parents receiving the web-based MMR decision aid compared to parents receiving an MMR leaflet alone. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Ethics approval was secured from York Research Ethics Committee on 4 April 2008 (Ref. 08/H1311/23) |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Public health - childhood immunisation |
| Intervention | The interventions were delivered at the individual parent level. GROUP 1: Usual practice only (control) Parents received the usual service provided by their GP practice. In England and Wales, parents of children registered with a GP receive an offer to have their child vaccinated for the first dose MMR at 12 to 13 months. Telephone interviews with participating GP practices indicated that usual practice included an appointment for the first dose MMR vaccination, a leaflet (usually MMR the Facts) and in some GP practices the offer of a consultation if the parent had concerns. GROUP 2: MMR decision aid plus usual practice Parents were sent by post the web link for the MMR decision aid with login instructions. They also continued to receive usual practice (described above) from their GP practice. The decision aid was a modified version of the Australian MMR decision aid. It can be accessed at www.leedsmmr.co.uk. GROUP 3: MMR leaflet plus usual practice Parents were sent the Health Scotland leaflet MMR your questions answered and also received usual practice. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Decisional conflict . This assessed a parents perception that their decision was informed in accordance with their values and can be acted upon. This 16-item validated scale has five sub-sections: informed, values clarity, support, uncertainty and effective decision. Scores range from 1 (no decisional conflict) to 5 (extremely high decisional conflict). Scores lower than two are associated with implementing informed decisions, higher scores are interpreted as delaying decisions or feeling unsure about their implementation. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. First dose MMR vaccination uptake data for children of participating parents (provided by GP practices) |
| Completion date | 30/11/2010 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Lower age limit | 3 Months |
| Upper age limit | 12 Months |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 576 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. All 312 GP practices within five Primary Care Trusts in the North of England were eligible. 2. First-time parents with a child aged 3 to 12 months being offered the first dose of the MMR vaccine were eligible. 3. Parents were required to have an email address and sufficient English language skills to participate. |
| Key exclusion criteria | None |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/09/2008 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/11/2010 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
YO10 5DD
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 05/12/2013 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
