Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) in Cote d'Ivoire: health-care providers’ knowledge of influenza and attitudes towards vaccination

Abstract

Introduction: During the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic (pH1N1), different methods were promoted to reduce the spread of influenza, including respiratory etiquette and vaccination. To identify knowledge gaps about influenza and to plan the vaccination campaign against the pandemic in Côte d'Ivoire, a survey was conducted among health-care providers (HCPs) to assess their knowledge about influenza and their willingness to be vaccinated. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was performed in the city of Abidjan on 16-18 February 2010, in the three university teaching hospitals, a randomly selected general hospital, and two randomly selected private clinics. In face-to-face interviews, 383 health-care professionals were asked questions about their knowledge of influenza, means of influenza prevention, and their willingness to be vaccinated. Data analysis, both univariate and multivariate, was performed using SPSS. Results: Willingness to be vaccinated against pH1N1 was 80% (n = 284), and 83% of the HCPs would recommend the vaccine to others. The respiratory mode of transmission of influenza was known by 85% (n = 295) of the participants and 50% (n = 174) believed that seasonal influenza virus and pH1N1 virus were different. In a multivariate model, the factors significantly associated with willingness to receive pH1N1vaccine were fear of pH1N1 disease (OR = 2.1; IC = 1.02-4.35), having only a high school education (OR = 8.28; IC = 2.04-33.60), and feeling at risk to contract pH1N1 (OR = 11.43; IC = 4.77-27.38). Conclusion: The willingness to be vaccinated against influenza A (H1N1) by health professionals is real.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices about influenza illness and vaccination: a cross‐sectional survey in two South African communities

“…Despite limited vaccine knowledge, most primary caregivers said they would get an influenza vaccine if available for free, although this proportion varied by site. While studies of vaccine acceptability among primary caretakers in the community are limited, willingness to accept influenza vaccine in this study was similar to acceptability observed among healthcare workers in Kenya16 and Cote d'Ivoire17 and higher than acceptability observed among pregnant women in Cote d'Ivoire18 during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic. We did not explore how clinician recommendations, which have been shown to influence vaccination attitudes and practices,19 might affect willingness to receive influenza vaccine in this population.…”

Barriers of Influenza Vaccination Intention and Behavior – A Systematic Review of Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy, 2005 – 2016

“…Of all 470 studies, 42 reported affective parameters of risk perception as significant barriers to influenza vaccination, i.e. low worry about the disease (HCP 7/117 [ 39 , 40 , 129 – 133 ]; Pregnant 3/35 [ 117 , 134 , 135 ]; Elderly 1/62 [ 136 ]; Public 24/191 [ 61 – 64 , 79 , 102 , 120 , 121 , 137 – 152 ]) and low anticipated regret in the case of not being vaccinated (HCP 1/117 [ 153 ]; Pregnant 1/35 [ 134 ]; Public 5/191 [ 78 , 154 – 157 ]). For example, Tucker et al report that pregnant women in a US sample who worried about influenza were approximately 3 times more likely to get the flu vaccine even when adjusting for cognitive risk parameters like probability and susceptibility of the disease [ 135 ].…”

Perceptions and practice of health care workers regarding hepatitis B vaccination, Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, 2016

“… 7 The vaccine intention of Ivorian HCWs during the AH1N1 influenza pandemic was 80% and the reasons for this decision were fear for the disease or even contracting the disease. 23 Labor pressure (39.8%), negligence (38.8%), vaccine cost (20.9%) were also found to be a barrier to HBV vaccination among HCWs in Pakistan. 10 …”

“… 20-21 In Côte d’Ivoire, studies have been conducted on the vaccination status of HCWs, 22 their acceptance of vaccination, and their recommendation to patients during the epidemic period. 23 There has been an absence of research on the relationship between the vaccination status and perceptions of HCWs and their vaccine practices with their patients. This study was conducted to improve the vaccine practices of HCWs.…”