Knowledge Regarding Influenza and Influenza Vaccination in General Population: Results of a National Survey in Poland

Kuchar, Ernest; Ludwikowska, Kamila; Szenborn, Leszek; Antczak, Adam; Mastalerz-Migas, Agnieszka; Nitsch–Osuch, Aneta

doi:10.1007/5584_2018_233

Cited by 7 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The previously mentioned large-scale EU investigation of vaccine confidence highlighted that between 2015 and 2018, Poland noted the largest decrease in public confidence in the importance, effectiveness and safety of vaccines. Previous more detailed investigations [12][13][14][15][16] revealed that Polish residents have a positive overall perception of vaccinations, but poor knowledge of vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases and concerns about vaccine safety. These investigations also highlighted a major role of physicians as the most used and the most trusted source of information on vaccination for parents.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring factors improving support for vaccinations among Polish primary care physicians

et al. 2020

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In Poland, primary care physicians are the most used and most trusted source of information on immunisation. We aimed to explore factors influencing support for vaccinations among physicians employed in the childhood immunisation programme, in order to inform education of healthcare workers and programme organization. In June-July 2017, we carried out a national cross-sectional survey of physicians working in randomly selected primary healthcare practices, and interviewed them by telephone. We assessed support for vaccinations using an ordinal scale (0-6) comprised of three equally weighted questions on the respondent support of the programme and vaccination of self and family. We also created a scale (0-3) based on correct answers to vaccination myths. We used ordered logistic regression to investigate factors independently influencing support for vaccinations, reporting the proportional odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for one unit increase in the support score. Of 2,609 respondents contacted, we interviewed 500 (19%). The median vaccination support score (0-6) was 5 (IQR 2). After adjusting for other variables, we did not find significant effects of sex, medical specialty, adhering to recommendations, attending a conference in previous year, using non-scientific sources of information and self-assessed knowledge on vaccination support score. Age over 60 years, correctly addressing vaccination myths and use of one or more than one scientific sources of knowledge, significantly improved support for vaccinations (aOR = 1.97, 1.57, 3.09 and 2.68, respectively). We recommend to increase the amount, quality and accessibility of evidence-based educational materials for primary care physicians working with childhood immunisations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring factors improving support for vaccinations among Polish primary care physicians

et al. 2020

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“…A similar percentage of participants declared their willingness to get vaccinated against influenza during pregnancy in the upcoming influenza season; however, almost 70% of participants were strongly opposed to the vaccination. For many years, IVC in Poland has been very low and remained below 4% [7,8]. IVC among the survey participants was comparable to the general population and much lower than that reported in other countries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Determinants and coverage of seasonal influenza vaccination among women of childbearing age in Poland

2021

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Objectives: Vaccination is the most effective method of controlling influenza in the human population, where pregnant women belong to a risk group that is especially vulnerable to influenza-related morbidity and mortality. The objectives of the survey were to report estimates of maternal vaccination coverage and assess reasons for the lack of influenza vaccination among Polish women of childbearing age. Material and methods: The survey analysis included 564 pregnant women who had been surveyed in a self-reported questionnaire during the 2017-2018 influenza season in Warsaw, Poland. Results: Over 95% of Polish women of childbearing age did not vaccinate against influenza due to the low perception of risk and a lack of providing evidence-based information on vaccine by physicians and midwives. General practitioners were most often indicated as healthcare workers who educated women about influenza risk factors and recommended influenza vaccine to them. Conclusions: The results of the survey suggest that women of childbearing age did not vaccinate against influenza due to the low perception of risk and a lack of providing evidence-based information by healthcare workers (including obstetrician-gynaecologists and midwives), while their recommendations appear to be a powerful method of overcoming barriers to influenza vaccination among patients.

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“…In patients with chronic diseases, as well as the elderly, immunization coverage is higher than in the general population; however, this still remains well below the recommended level, which is the 75% uptake in key risk groups [13,25,26]. The attitude toward influenza infection and vaccination is different in Poland; it is not regarded as an important vaccination and there is a lack of awareness of its need -in a national survey in Poland [24,25] important gaps in the knowledge on influenza vaccination were found in the general Polish population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Influenza vaccination is not a mandatory vaccination in Poland, and costs fall on the patient. Overall, it is not a popular vaccine and uptake is very low with the influenza vaccination uptake rate remaining at a 3% threshold nationally in the past 10 years [24]. The influenza vaccination uptake rate differs widely in Poland and depends much on the age and risk group.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The responses were further analysed based on whether the parent/guardian had consented, refused or had not returned the consent form for the 2018 school influenza programme vaccine. 27.3% of consenters, 14.5% of refusers and 33.3% of non- Parents who refused vaccination were significantly more likely to choose 'social media' such as Facebook or Twitter as a main source of information for vaccine decision-making than consenting parents, 43.1% compared to 13.3% respectively (x 2 = 11.32, p = 0.001) Also, 24.4% of consenting parents referred to Polish healthcare staff, which was significantly higher than the 6.2% of parents who refused (x 2 = 7.48, p = 0.006).…”

Section: Factors In Influenza Vaccine Consent Decision Makingmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Impact of an influenza information pamphlet on vaccination uptake among Polish pupils in Edinburgh, Scotland and the role of social media in parental decision making

Bielecki¹,

Craig²,

Willocks³

et al. 2020

BMC Public Health

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Background In Edinburgh, Scotland, lower influenza vaccine uptake has been observed in primary school children in the Polish community. Methods To address this disparity, the Polish-language version of the NHS Health Scotland influenza information pamphlet was updated and distributed in 2018 to all identified Polish pupils attending three pilot schools. The impact of the revised pamphlet was evaluated by examining changes in vaccine uptake in these schools as compared to a control group of schools, and a questionnaire was issued to all Polish parents in the pilot schools to explore their opinions of the pamphlet and preferred sources of immunisation information. Results On average uptake was 7.4% (95% CI 1.0–13.8%, p < 0.05) higher in the three pilot schools in which the Polish-language pamphlet was distributed (28.7%) than control schools (21.3%). The questionnaire feedback was that 37.3% of respondents felt better-informed about the influenza vaccine following the pamphlet. The respondents reported that the most important information source in deciding whether to vaccinate is previous experience. Healthcare professionals were ranked lower in importance when making a decision. Parents, who refused consent (n = 65) were more likely to source information from social media, friends and family, and Polish websites compared with those who consented (n = 45). Conclusions These findings suggest that issuing new Polish health literature was associated with a large increase in consent form return rate and a modest increase in uptake of the influenza vaccine by Polish pupils in the pilot schools. Social media and Polish websites were found to have a greater influence over Polish parents’ decision to immunise than UK healthcare staff and health authority information. Intensive effort is required to encourage parents towards information sources where more accurate pro-vaccination messages can be promulgated by national health services and independent expert groups. The role of social media for migrant communities requires careful consideration, especially for vaccine programmes not delivered in their country of birth.

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Knowledge Regarding Influenza and Influenza Vaccination in General Population: Results of a National Survey in Poland

Cited by 7 publications

References 14 publications

Exploring factors improving support for vaccinations among Polish primary care physicians

Exploring factors improving support for vaccinations among Polish primary care physicians

Determinants and coverage of seasonal influenza vaccination among women of childbearing age in Poland

Impact of an influenza information pamphlet on vaccination uptake among Polish pupils in Edinburgh, Scotland and the role of social media in parental decision making

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