Knowledge and Attitude of Family Physicians Regarding Adult Vaccination

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Primary Care Physicians Toward Adult Vaccination in Abha City

“…However, about one fourth of participants think that there is no need to establish antibody levels before hepatitis B vaccination and another one fourth of them think that their knowledge about adult vaccination is insufficient. These findings are in accordance with those of Baykan et al, 11 in Turkey, who found that 83% of primary Findings of the present study showed that most primary health care physicians had poor practice regarding adult vaccination, while only 10% had good practice. About three fourths of primary health care physicians received influenza and hepatitis B vaccines, while 40.8% received tetanus vaccine, 21.4% received the pneumococcal vaccine and 13.6% received the HPV vaccine.…”

“…Vaccination against influenza was received by most participant primary care physicians in the present study (75.7%). Lower rates have been reported by Baykan et al, [11] in Turkey (58.5%). Moreover, vaccination rates of physicians' first degree relatives were also low.…”

“…6 and Baykan et al 11 found that vaccination practices for adults were higher in female physicians compared to male physicians, but with no significant differences. Results of the present study showed that the most frequently stated reasons for low adult vaccination coverage were "Lack of coordinated immunization programs for adults", "Physicians do not inform patients about adult vaccination because they do not have enough time" and "Lack of availability of upto-date records and recording systems".…”

“…In Saudi Arabia, until very recently vaccination has been considered as a special procedure for children, and apart from some exceptional cases and individual applications, adult vaccination has been neglected. Planning, coordination and continuity in administration are all very important issues in obtaining success 11 . Increasing the awareness of physicians, in other words, dealing with the lack of knowledge, which is accepted as one of the reasons for insufficient adult vaccination, and implementing them to give the necessary importance, will provide success in adult vaccination 12 .…”

“…Physicians should evaluate the adults they see in hospitals or polyclinics, whether healthy or ill, regarding immunization against preventable diseases. They should not miss the opportunity of completing missing vaccines; they should inform the patients about the diseases and the importance of vaccination 11 . In recent years, new vaccines such as herpes zoster and human papillomavirus have become available for adults.…”