Evaluation of Physicians' Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors on Influenza Vaccination

Abstract

Influenza is a disease that causes mortality, morbidity, and workforce productivity losses, especially in high-risk patients. Healthcare workers are among those at risk for exposure to the flu and for transmission of the virus to the patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes and behavior of physicians at one hospital regarding the influenza vaccine. Methods: A questionnaire comprising 11 questions was used to evaluate the attitudes and behaviors of the physicians working in one hospital with respect to the influenza vaccine. Results: A total of 105 physicians participated in the study, and 74.3% of the respondents were not vaccinated for influenza virus. The most common reasons given were that it was viewed as unimportant and remissness (64%). The results indicated that 39% of the physicians surveyed did not recommend an influenza vaccine to their patients. Vaccination was most frequently recommended to the patients with chronic lung disease (83.9%). It was also observed that 94.3% of the physicians had not received any education on influenza in previous year. Conclusion: The most important step in reducing the mortality due to influenza is to increase the rate of influenza vaccination. Awareness of physicians should be increased in order for vaccination programs to be successful throughout the country.