Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of occupational physicians towards vaccinations of health care workers: A cross sectional pilot study in North-Eastern Italy

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to characterize personal attitudes and knowledge of a sample of Italian occupational physicians (OPhs) towards immunization practice in the case of healthcare workers (HCWs). Material and Methods: A total of 90 OPhs (42.2% of males, 57.8% of females, mean age of 50.1±8.3 years old) compiled a structured questionnaire through a telephonic interview. They were asked about the official Italian recommendations for HCWs, their general knowledge of vaccine practice, their propensity towards vaccines (both in general and about specific immunizations), their risk perception about the vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. Eventually, a regression analysis was performed in order to identify factors predictive for vaccine propensity. Results: Only 12 out of 90 subjects correctly identified all the 7 recommended immunizations. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine was correctly identified by 95.6% of the sample, and was also associated with the more positive attitude and the more accurate risk perception. Influenza vaccine had the lowest acceptance (75.9%). Eventually, pertussis, measles, parotitis and varicella vaccines were insufficiently recognized as

Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices (KAP) of Italian Occupational Physicians towards Tick Borne Encephalitis

“…Such recommendations have been issued by means of the National Immunization Prevention Plan 2017–2019 (Piano Nazionale Prevenzione Vaccinale—PNPV), a guidance document for immunization policies [ 17 , 18 ]. Application of immunization policies for workplaces is a main issue for occupational physicians, the medical professionals responsible for health promotion in workplaces [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. More precisely, Italian occupational physicians are not only requested to properly tailor national recommendations to specific occupational settings, but they should recall the vaccination status of the assisted workers, informing them about the pros and cons of recommended vaccinations [ 18 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Long-term persistency of hepatitis B immunity: an observational cross-sectional study on medical students and resident doctors

“…Occupational Physicians’ contribution to reduce vaccine delays or refusals and vaccine hesitancy that are also affecting HCWs is crucial [34]. A recent study of Riccò and colleagues [35] draw attention to the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of Occupational Physicians towards vaccination in HCWs showing that severity perception of the disease and misconceptions about vaccines still influence the immunization coverage. As only evidence-based recommendations should guide occupational physicians’ behaviour towards vaccination, specific training programs and formations courses are strongly needed.…”

The Ethical Duty of Physicians to Strengthen Their Own Immunization and Childhood Vaccination

“…Therefore, it is time to consider the mandatory vaccination policies for these professionals [35,36]. This recommendation was approved by 63% [37] and by more than 98% of them [36] and the physicians accepted it better than nurses and other professionals [37].…”

“…Therefore, it is time to consider the mandatory vaccination policies for these professionals [35,36]. This recommendation was approved by 63% [37] and by more than 98% of them [36] and the physicians accepted it better than nurses and other professionals [37]. Similarly, reduced numbers of vaccination of such professionals were reported in China and Australia, with less than 5% [38] and 22% [39] of influenza vaccinated professionals, respectively.…”