Influenza immunization rates, knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care workers in Iran

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to determine influenza vaccine coverage and evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practice about influenza and vaccine of health care workers in Tehran, Iran. .9 % (range, 45% to 62%). Most HCWs (80.6%) had received an influenza vaccination in the past, and 65.4% intended to receive vaccination in the coming year. The main reason given for being immunized was the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine (51.4%). The main reason given for not being immunized was concern about adverse effects (23.1%). The knowledge score for the 35 items ranged from 0 to 34 (mean 17.37). Mean knowledge scores differed between educational levels. There was no significant difference in mean knowledge scores between females and males (P > 0.05). Independent variables (age, sex, marital status, having children aged ≤ 16 years, educational level) were not significant predictors of taking influenza immunization. Conclusion: Despite the high coverage rate of influenza vaccination in our study, we would expect a higher rate because of free vaccine availability. The results indicate the need for on-going education of influenza disease among HCWs to increase vaccination rates.

Acceptance of H1N1 vaccine among healthcare workers at primary healthcare centres in Abha, KSA

“…Esposito et al [39] reported that only a small number of respondents considered influenza a serious disease, and only a few were aware of its epidemiology or knew the preventive recommendations and measures. Previous studies reported that 27-45% of HCWs believe that the influenza vaccine causes influenza infection [34,40], and 55.6% of all respondents in our study shared this misconception.…”

“…In other studies, a considerable proportion of the respondents claimed that they were immunized because they considered it their responsibility to protect their patients [32,33]. In a study conducted in Iran by Khazaeipour et al [34], the major reasons identified for accepting vaccination were that the influenza vaccine is effective and that influenza is a serious disease.…”

Knowledge, Belief and Barriers to Adult Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination among Primary Care Doctors in Sarawak

“…This could be due to their diligent nature to keep up with medical developments (Ismail 2014). However this finding may not be generalized as another study found no significant differences in knowledge between genders (Khazaeipour et al 2010). Those with a master's degree in family medicine or its equivalent had higher scores as they have more training, experience and exposure; hence their higher likelihood to have better levels of knowledge on both vaccines.…”

National Immunization Program in Iran

“…The ministry of health and medical education in Iran provides vaccine just for some of the high risk groups such as health-care providers. 15 The vaccine is also available through the private sector, however, there is no accurate estimate of vaccine coverage and pattern of distribution among different subgroups of population. Some studies are in process to assess the cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccine for the primary high risk groups; this might convince policy-makers to dedicate public funds for vaccinating more high-risk groups in future years.…”