http://www.mejfm.com/February%202023/Seasonal%20influenza.htm

Abstract

Background: Increasing vaccination rates and reducing the spread of influenza are both greatly improved by raising public knowledge about seasonal influenza. To promote acceptance and create awareness it is necessary to identify any potential barriers to vaccination. This study aimed to assess seasonal influenza awareness, knowledge, vaccination uptake, and barriers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted as an online survey of 355 medical and non-medical students of Umm Al-Qura University. Results: Out of the total 355 participants, 175(49.3%) were medical students and 180 (50.7) were non-medical students. There was an almost equal distribution of males (178 (50.1%) and females 177 (49.9%) in both groups. Most of the students 208 (58.6%) were aged 21-24 and most of them were single 346 (97.5%). Awareness of seasonal influenza was 172 (98.3%) among medical students and 157 (87.2%) among non-medical students. The mean knowledge score was 7.75 ± 2.9, with a statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). Vaccination uptake was low in both groups 29 (16.6%) vs 46 (25.6%) in medical and non-medical respectively. The most prominent barriers to vaccination were the negative perceptions of the vaccine’s efficacy (53%) followed by accessibility (20%) and vaccine safety concerns (17%). More than one-third (37.7%) of the medical students and (8.9%) of non-medical students had good knowledge levels of seasonal influenza. Surprisingly, 145 (40.8%) had a poor knowledge level of seasonal influenza with a significant difference between the medical and non-medical groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Despite the high level of awareness, the knowledge level and vaccine uptake were unsatisfactory. Negative perceptions of the vaccine’s efficacy, and accessibility were the most significant barriers to vaccination. Campaigns and health education programmes should be considered to encourage others to get vaccinated to reduce the burden of seasonal influenza. Keywords: Awareness, seasonal influenza, vaccine uptake, knowledge