Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviours towards Recommended Vaccinations among Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are an important group of professionals exposed to biological risk during their work activities. So, the aim of this study is to perform a survey on the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of Italian HCWs towards the vaccinations recommended by the Ministry of Health. A cross-sectional study was carried out during the period September 2014–August 2015 in the Lazio region. The study was conducted by recruiting HCWs and biomedical students. The sample was comprised of 571 responders, of whom 12.4% were physicians, 18.9% were nurses, 34.3% were other HCW, and 34.3% were biomedical students (medical and nurses students). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is perceived as a risk for personal health by 457 (80%) participants; TB is also worrying (434; 76%). Moreover, HBV (70.9%) and tuberculosis (TB) (79.2%) are perceived as a risk for health, while influenza is not considered so by most participants (46.2%). There is an underestimation of the role of influenza, perceived as a risk for 137 respondents (24%). The vaccination rate among these HCWs is highest for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) (82%), and lowest for influenza (28.5%) and varicella (40.3%). The vast majority of responders are in favour of HBV (77.8%) and TB (64.8%) vaccines. For other vaccinations there is less interest (between 33% and 40% for measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis and influenza). This study shows that knowledge of recommended occupational vaccinations is insufficient in HCWs, with few exceptions represented by HBV and TB. There is a need for novel approaches in this field, with the aim of enhancing vaccine coverage among HCW.

Awareness and compliance of dental students and interns toward infection control at Riyadh Elm University

“…In our study population the compliance was greater than that of these other studies [33], [37], [45], [46], [47], [48], [49], [50] but still in need of improvement. …”

“…Despite the emphasis that was placed on making DHCW aware of the risk of cross-infection and the recommended practices to control infection transmission, the percentage of DHCW who adhered to those practices was below expectations [1], [2], [4], [9], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30], [31], [32], [33], [34], [35], [36], [37], [38]. …”

<p>Healthcare Workers’ Preparedness: An Exploratory Study for Measles Control in a Middle-Income Country</p>

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 59 million HCWs worldwide are potentially exposed to hazardous biological agents every day. 1 When a disease can be transmitted through humans, as in the case of measles, vaccination is considered as the most important primary prevention strategy, with extended effect to HCWs' colleagues and patients. 1 Measles is a highly infectious disease that can transmit measles virus to 75-90% of susceptible contacts 2 with a reported higher risk among nonimmune HCWs compared to that of the general population.…”

“…1 When a disease can be transmitted through humans, as in the case of measles, vaccination is considered as the most important primary prevention strategy, with extended effect to HCWs' colleagues and patients. 1 Measles is a highly infectious disease that can transmit measles virus to 75-90% of susceptible contacts 2 with a reported higher risk among nonimmune HCWs compared to that of the general population. 3 Recently, outbreak events were reported, in Egypt and worldwide, characterized by the nosocomial transmission of measles with subsequent infection of HCWs.…”

Hepatitis B Virus Should not be Forget in Health Care Worker

“…HBV can be transmitted to a health care worker from infected patient, and similarly infected health care workers are at risk of transmitting HBV to other patients (2,3). Also, HBV is highly contagious and can be spread by percutaneous or mucosal exposure to infected blood or other body fluids, this is a strong reason why these HCW are at greater risk than others (4).…”