Barriers and beliefs among health-care workers regarding seasonal influenza vaccine in Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia
This study aimed to assess the seasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) coverage rate, and to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practice of health-care workers (HCWs) concerning the SIV. In this multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia, a validated questionnaire was distribu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2020-02-01
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| Series: | Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics |
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2019.1656020 |
| _version_ | 1827809632298467328 |
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| author | Mohammed Alsuhaibani |
| author_facet | Mohammed Alsuhaibani |
| author_sort | Mohammed Alsuhaibani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aimed to assess the seasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) coverage rate, and to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practice of health-care workers (HCWs) concerning the SIV. In this multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia, a validated questionnaire was distributed randomly among HCWs. Of 523 responses from HCWs across different institutions, 282 (53.9%) respondents were females and most respondents were aged between 30 and 39 years. Overall, 48.6% of participants had been regularly vaccinated with the SIV, and 70% were willing to be vaccinated in the coming season. Reasons for HCWs’ non-adherence to the SIV included their having previously had influenza, which was not severe (20.7%), and that they were young and healthy (19.2%). Belief in the effectiveness of the SIV (72.3%) and knowledge that the SIV should be administered yearly (86.6%) was high among respondents. Less than 50% of respondents believed that vaccine safety concern is the main barrier preventing health-care institutions from providing the SIV to patients. Our study results showed suboptimal SIV coverage among HCWs in Qassim region. Educational programs and campaigns regarding the risk of influenza infection, as well as the provision of adequate information, and highlighting the importance of HCWs being vaccinated are essential. Easy access to and availability of the SIV in each region is crucial for improved vaccine coverage. Health-care institutions need to more actively encourage staff to undergo influenza vaccinations on a regular basis, especially during the influenza season. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T22:44:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e52b7b595307423eb1503b656e0012a6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2164-5515 2164-554X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T22:44:13Z |
| publishDate | 2020-02-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics |
| spelling | doaj.art-e52b7b595307423eb1503b656e0012a62023-09-22T08:45:33ZengTaylor & Francis GroupHuman Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics2164-55152164-554X2020-02-0116231332010.1080/21645515.2019.16560201656020Barriers and beliefs among health-care workers regarding seasonal influenza vaccine in Al-Qassim region, Saudi ArabiaMohammed Alsuhaibani0College of Medicine, Qassim UniversityThis study aimed to assess the seasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) coverage rate, and to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practice of health-care workers (HCWs) concerning the SIV. In this multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia, a validated questionnaire was distributed randomly among HCWs. Of 523 responses from HCWs across different institutions, 282 (53.9%) respondents were females and most respondents were aged between 30 and 39 years. Overall, 48.6% of participants had been regularly vaccinated with the SIV, and 70% were willing to be vaccinated in the coming season. Reasons for HCWs’ non-adherence to the SIV included their having previously had influenza, which was not severe (20.7%), and that they were young and healthy (19.2%). Belief in the effectiveness of the SIV (72.3%) and knowledge that the SIV should be administered yearly (86.6%) was high among respondents. Less than 50% of respondents believed that vaccine safety concern is the main barrier preventing health-care institutions from providing the SIV to patients. Our study results showed suboptimal SIV coverage among HCWs in Qassim region. Educational programs and campaigns regarding the risk of influenza infection, as well as the provision of adequate information, and highlighting the importance of HCWs being vaccinated are essential. Easy access to and availability of the SIV in each region is crucial for improved vaccine coverage. Health-care institutions need to more actively encourage staff to undergo influenza vaccinations on a regular basis, especially during the influenza season.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2019.1656020influenza vaccineinfluenza virushealthcare workersknowledgeattitudes |
| spellingShingle | Mohammed Alsuhaibani Barriers and beliefs among health-care workers regarding seasonal influenza vaccine in Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics influenza vaccine influenza virus healthcare workers knowledge attitudes |
| title | Barriers and beliefs among health-care workers regarding seasonal influenza vaccine in Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia |
| title_full | Barriers and beliefs among health-care workers regarding seasonal influenza vaccine in Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia |
| title_fullStr | Barriers and beliefs among health-care workers regarding seasonal influenza vaccine in Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers and beliefs among health-care workers regarding seasonal influenza vaccine in Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia |
| title_short | Barriers and beliefs among health-care workers regarding seasonal influenza vaccine in Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia |
| title_sort | barriers and beliefs among health care workers regarding seasonal influenza vaccine in al qassim region saudi arabia |
| topic | influenza vaccine influenza virus healthcare workers knowledge attitudes |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2019.1656020 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mohammedalsuhaibani barriersandbeliefsamonghealthcareworkersregardingseasonalinfluenzavaccineinalqassimregionsaudiarabia |