Barriers to healthcare workers reporting adverse events following immunization in Zhejiang province, China

Abstract

Objectives A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare workers (HCWs) to assess their knowledge, attitude, and reporting behavior in adverse event following immunization (AEFI) surveillance as well as to identify barriers. Methods A simple random sample of 170 vaccination clinics was selected and one HCW was informed to participate in this survey in each selected vaccination clinic. The survey was developed using a secure online platform and consisted of a structured online questionnaire. The distributions of the respondents’ characteristics were presented. Training status, knowledge, attitude, and reporting behavior were compared between sub-groups of HCWs. Barriers and suggestions on AEFI reporting were also summarized. Results Of the 170 surveyed HCWs, 61.76% received the training on AEFI surveillance while 15.88% had no AEFI training at all. The higher level of knowledge and the more positive attitude and reporting behavior on AEFI surveillance were observed among HCWs with the longer working duration on AEFI surveillance, or among HCWs who received the training. The most critical barrier to reporting an AEFI was ‘not being sure if the AEFI is related to the vaccine’ (122, 71.76%). Other barriers were: ‘I do not want to raise unnecessary public alarm about a vaccine’ (105, 61.76%); ‘reporting form or other method being too complicated’ (65, 38.23%). Conclusion The study findings highlighted the need to prioritize training on AEFI surveillance for HCWs. It is recommended that the development of the targeted interventions to strengthen AEFI surveillance system be required based on the barriers found in this study.

Neki čimbenici utjecaja na nedovoljno prijavljivanje sumnji na nuspojave cjepiva

“…Razlozi za to mogu biti raznoliki, uključujući nedovoljno vrijeme ili svijest o postupku prijavljivanja, nedostatak jasnih smjernica ili percepciju da prijavljivanje nije nužno ili da nuspojava nije povezana s cjepivom te da nuspojava nije dovoljno ozbiljna za prijavu (19)(20)(21)(22). Drugi mogući faktori neprijavljivanja su da je zdravstvenim radnicima postupak prijavljivanja prekompliciran i da ne žele dizati nepotrebnu uzbunu u javnosti oko cjepiva te strah od osobnih posljedica ako prijave nuspojavu (20).…”

“…Također, potrebna je bolja podrška zdravstvenim radnicima u procesu prijavljivanja nuspojava kako bi se osiguralo da sve relevantne informacije budu dokumentirane i proslijeđene nadležnim institucijama poput HaLmED-a. To može uključivati cjeloživotne edukacije zdravstvenih radnika o postupku prijavljivanja, pružanje jasnih smjernica i alata za prijavljivanje, kao i promoviranje svijesti o važnosti prijavljivanja nuspojava, što potvrđuju i dosadašnja istraživanja o preprekama i mogućim rješenjima oko poticanja zdravstvenih radnika na prijavu nuspojava (20,22). Također, važno je uspostaviti sustav povratnih informacija pacijentima i zdravstvenim radnicima kako bi se osigurala transparentnost i povjerenje u proces prijavljivanja.…”

Barriers to optimal AEFI surveillance and documentation in Nigeria: Findings from a qualitative survey

“…The timeliness and quality of feedback on reported AEFI determine its usefulness to the regulators, vaccine manufacturers, reporters, and the vaccinees or the parents of the vaccinees and the public [61]. A lack of or inappropriate feedback to health workers and parents or vaccinee is a considerable disincentive to further or future reporting as interests tend to wane [51,62,63]. Ultimately, confidence in the immunisation programme gets eroded.…”