Knowledge, attitude, and practice of seasonal influenza and influenza vaccine immunization among people visiting primary healthcare centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Influenza infection continues to be a hazard to the Saudi population, resulting in high death rates and illness prevalence; it also places a substantial financial burden on the government. The government takes several strategies and approaches through the Ministry of Health has shown great success in curbing the disease. Vaccination is considered the most appropriate control measure; unfortunately, most Saudi residents, particularly in the city of Riyadh, do not consider vaccination a safe health practice. As a result, many have not participated in the influenza vaccine immunisation programme. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of seasonal influenza and influenza vaccine immunisation among clients visiting primary healthcare centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the study investigated the relationship between participants’ demographics and their KAPs regarding influenza vaccination. A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study was conducted among 611 individuals who visited four of Riyadh’s primary healthcare centers: Alsylimania, Alwady, Alyasmin, and Alsahafah. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess the KAPs of participants, with questions regarding seasonal influenza and influenza vaccine immunisation. The scores of participants’ knowledge showed that the majority had good knowledge regarding seasonal flu (64.5%) and the flu vaccine (73.3%). Furthermore, only 52% of participants had a positive attitude score towards the seasonal influenza vaccination. Despite that, significant knowledge gaps and mistaken beliefs regarding certain aspects of influenza were noted in participants, resulting in negative attitudes and perceptions as well as a reduced likelihood of being vaccinated. In this study, 43.7% of participants (267 out of 611) had ever received a flu vaccine. Participants with a history of previous vaccination had a significantly higher level of knowledge and more positive attitudes, which resulted in increased vaccination coverage. Therefore, educational strategies to improve knowledge regarding influenza in Riyadh are recommended.

Acceptability of The Flu Vaccine among The General Population in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, 2021-2022

“…On the other hand, the rate of vaccination coverage in the current study seems low. This deserved more analysis of the causes underlying reluctance to get the vaccine, as our findings and those of previous studies indicate that previous vaccination increases the likelihood of getting the vaccine again, presumably as those individuals possess good knowledge about the vaccine's safety and hold a positive attitude (12,14,23,24) .…”

“…Another key finding of the current study is the relatively low (45%) flu vaccination rate among the participants, and a large group of non-vaccinated participants gave no specific reason (73%). The rates of flu vaccination among the general population in KSA generally ranged from 42.9% to 55% (12)(13)(14)(15) . The rates among healthcare workers in KSA ranged from 41% to 67% (16)(17)(18)(19)(20) .…”

“…Meanwhile, a lower rate of 36.7% was reported by Sagor and AlAteeq (21) . The higher rate of vaccination among healthcare workers was expected as the ministry of health in KSA mandates the intake of flu vaccine every year for all healthcare workers (12,17) . Several countries adopt the same policy to restrict nosocomial contraction of influenza (22) .…”

Factors predicting caregivers' readiness for vaccination of 5-11 years old children against SARS-CoV-2 - Saudi Arabia, 2022

“…In 2009, over 80% of Saudi Arabian caregivers refused to get their child vaccinated against influenza. Furthermore, a study conducted in various primary healthcare facilities in the capital city of Saudi Arabia demonstrated that, many people lack awareness of the influenza virus and its vaccine, hold strong misconceptions about side effects and believe it is useless [6,7]. A cross-sectional survey in Saudi Arabia reported that 82% of the respondents, who were adults, prefer to take precautions against the COVID-19 infection rather than take the vaccine [8].…”

“…Unlike in the western countries, the factors that predict caregivers' readiness to vaccinate children in the age group [5][6][7][8][9][10][11]…”