Influenza immunization among Tunisian health care workers in the 2018-2019 influenza season

Abstract Background Given the nature of their activities, health care workers (hcws) are at higher risk of contracting influenza and transmitting the disease to their patients. Influenza vaccine (IV) remains the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. To the best of our knowledge, no national data on IV coverage among hcws is available in Tunisia. The present study aimed to assess the flu vaccination coverage among Tunisian hcws in the 2018-2019 influenza season and factors associated with IV uptake through a study of knowledge and attitudes related to influenza vaccination. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted in Tunisian primary and secondary health care facilities from March to May 2019. Hcws with direct patient contact were recruited according to a self-weighted multistage sampling. Survey data collection was based on a face to face questionnaire containing both open and closed questions. Results A total of 1231 hcws were enrolled in this study. Among respondents, 15.3% (95% CI: [12.3-17.2]) were vaccinated against influenza during the 2018-2019 influenza season. High confidence regarding vaccine efficacy (OR = 3.5, 95%CI: 2.5-4.8), belief that hcws' influenza immunization may decrease illness and deaths among patients (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.3) and belief that influenza vaccination can reduce work absenteeism (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.4) were associated with a higher IV uptake among hcws. In addition, participants who mentioned hcws as a target group for influenza vaccination (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.5-2.8) and who were agree that IV is indicated annually for hcws (OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.9-4.9) were more likely to receive the IV. Conclusions Influenza vaccination coverage among Tunisian health professionals in 2018-2019 was low. Our findings suggest that knowledge and attitudes regarding influenza vaccine influence vaccine compliance among hcws and should thus be targeted by vaccination campaigns to promote flu vaccine uptake in the health community. Key messages Vaccination coverage among Tunisian healthcare workers was low in the 2018-2019 influenza season. Our findings suggest that knowledge and attitudes regarding influenza vaccine influence vaccine uptake among Tunisian health care workers.

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Influenza immunization rates, knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care workers in Iran

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.1152 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 4 (10) ◽

pp. 636-644 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Zahra Khazaeipour ◽

Neda Ranjbarnovin ◽

Najmesadat Hoseini

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Medical Science ◽

Influenza Immunization ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Care Workers ◽

Significant Difference

Introduction: This study aimed to determine influenza vaccine coverage and evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practice about influenza and vaccine of health care workers in Tehran, Iran. Methodology: This cross-sectional survey involved 144 health care workers (HCWs) at the Tehran University of Medical Science between October 2008 and February 2009. Participants received a self-administered questionnaire directed at 35 items of knowledge and every correct response was scored one point. Results: Influenza vaccination coverage for the 2008-2009 season was 66.9 % (range, 45% to 62%). Most HCWs (80.6%) had received an influenza vaccination in the past, and 65.4% intended to receive vaccination in the coming year. The main reason given for being immunized was the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine (51.4%). The main reason given for not being immunized was concern about adverse effects (23.1%). The knowledge score for the 35 items ranged from 0 to 34 (mean 17.37). Mean knowledge scores differed between educational levels. There was no significant difference in mean knowledge scores between females and males (P > 0.05). Independent variables (age, sex, marital status, having children aged ≤ 16 years, educational level) were not significant predictors of taking influenza immunization. Conclusion: Despite the high coverage rate of influenza vaccination in our study, we would expect a higher rate because of free vaccine availability. The results indicate the need for on-going education of influenza disease among HCWs to increase vaccination rates.

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Factors affecting influenza vaccine uptake among health care workers in the Medical and Health Sciences Center of Debrecen University, Hungary

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/oh.2012.29328 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 153 (13) ◽

pp. 505-513 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Piroska Orosi ◽

Ágnes Borbély ◽

Judit Szidor ◽

János Sándor

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Vaccination Rate ◽

Internal Communication ◽

Health Science ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Science Center ◽

Family Doctors ◽

Care Workers

Influenza vaccination is the most effective way of influenza prevention. The vaccination rate is low worldwide. In Hungary, the vaccine is free of charge to health care workers and, therefore, the low vaccination rate is unaccountable. Aims: In this study, the authors wanted to explore those factors which influence the refusal of vaccination. Methods: The Health Science Center of Debrecen University has about 4000 employees. The authors adjusted a questionnaire with 45 questions and sent it to 525 randomly selected health care workers, 294 of whom responded (response rate, 56%). The Epiinfo software was used for statistical evaluation. Results: The respondents strongly agreed that the vaccine is free and easy to obtain at the workplace. Official recommendations of the occupational health, the Medical Association of Hungary and advice of the family doctors failed to influence the decision. However, a significant impact of communication with family members, friends and colleagues on the decision was documented. Conclusions: The results indicate that the most important tool in decision making of influenza vaccination is the internal communication, but this effect is not a permanent one. International data show highly variable vaccination rates (between 2.1% and 82%). A better vaccination rate (98% or above) may be achieved with a mandatory influenza vaccination program among health care workers. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 505–513.

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Improved influenza vaccination coverage among health-care workers: evidence from a web-based survey in China, 2019/2020 season

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics ◽

10.1080/21645515.2020.1859317 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Heya Yi ◽

Yuan Yang ◽

Li Zhang ◽

Muli Zhang ◽

Qing Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Web Based ◽

Care Workers

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Knowledge and attitudes towards influenza vaccination of health care workers in emergency services

Vaccine ◽

10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.11.086 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 205-207 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Sébastien Hulo ◽

Alexandra Nuvoli ◽

Annie Sobaszek ◽

Alexandra Salembier-trichard

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Emergency Services ◽

Knowledge And Attitudes ◽

Care Workers

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Monitoring influenza vaccination coverage and acceptance among health-care workers in German hospitals – results from three seasons

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics ◽

10.1080/21645515.2020.1801072 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Julia Neufeind ◽

Ronja Wenchel ◽

Birte Boedeker ◽

Sabine Wicker ◽

Ole Wichmann

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Care Workers

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Strategies to increase influenza vaccine uptake among health care workers in Greece

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1080/00365540701642658 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 266-268 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Helen C. Maltezou ◽

Antonios Maragos ◽

Vasilios Raftopoulos ◽

Katerina Karageorgou ◽

Theopisti Halharapi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Care Workers

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Factors associated with seasonal influenza immunization in people with chronic diseases

Medicinski podmladak ◽

10.5937/mp72-31846 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 72 (2) ◽

pp. 19-25

Author(s):

Slađana Arsenović ◽

Tatjana Gazibara

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Health Care System ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination ◽

Influenza Immunization ◽

Factors Associated

Annually, at a global level, 3 to 5 million people present severe clinical forms of seasonal influenza and up to 650 000 people die of influenza-related complications. People with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, neurologic, hematologic and metabolic diseases or those reciveing immunosuppressive therapy, constitute a high-risk population group for the development of influenza-related complications, more severe clinical course and poorer health-related outcomes. Due to all of the above, people with chronic diseases are of high priority to receive the influenza vaccine. Immunization represents the key strategy to prevent influenza both in terms of effectiveness and health care costs. Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, adequate seasonal influenza immunization coverage among people with chronic diseases is set at 75%. However, few countries achieve this threshold. Understanding predictive factors of vaccination, at different levels of health care delivery (such as individuals, service providers, health policy), is essential to secure acceptance of influenza immunization and achieve the recommended level of vaccination coverage. In this mini review, all the available evidence regarding seasonal influenza vaccination coverage is summarized, alongside factors associated with vaccine uptake in people with chronic diseases as a whole, as well as according to specific diseases such as: cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders, diabetes and cancer. Based on the reviewed empirical evidence, a wide spectrum of factors associated with immunization against influneza was found in people who have chronic diseases. Although diverse, these factors can be systematized into 4 distinctive groups: socio-demographic characteristics, individual attitudes and beliefs, health promoting behaviors and factors related to the health care system. Further efforts are needed to improve the seasonal influenza vaccination coverage. The immunization strategy needs to include the health care system and the community to support people with chronic diseases to continously accept the influenza vaccine.

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