Knowledge Levels, Perceptions, Attitudes, and Behaviors Regarding Flu, Common Cold, Influenza Vaccine and Antimicrobial Usage Among Physicians Working at a University Hospital

Abstract Background In the study, it was aimed to evaluate the attitudes and behaviors related to vaccine confidence levels of teachers who are a professional group that can lead the community about vaccination in developing countries such as Turkey. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 752 teachers from 21 schools in the city center of Eskisehir in the first semester of the 2020 academic year. The questionnaire included the sociodemographic characteristics, vaccine-related information, attitude and behavior questions, and the Vaccine Confidence Scale(VCS) questions. The total score that can be obtained from the VCS ranges from 0 to 80 and high scores suggests higher confidence level towards the vaccine. The cut-off of the scale was determined by ROC Analysis according to the positive attitude towards the vaccine. It was accepted that those who scored 54 and above had confidence in the vaccine. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used. Results Of the participants, 508 (67.6%) were female and their mean age (SD) was 41.7 (8.3) years. Only 6%(45) of the teachers answered 100% of the knowledge questions correctly. 49.6%(373) of the teachers had positive attitudes towards the vaccine. The total score obtained from VCS ranged from 6 to 80, with the mean (SD) of 59 (14.1). In the study group, 43.1%(324) had confidence in the vaccines. In teachers who had paid vaccinations done on their children[OR, 95%CI: 1.96 (1.37-2.81)], answered all of the vaccine knowledge questions correctly[2.27 (1.15-4.49)] and teachers who advocate the opinion that “it is necessary for teachers to take part in the fight against anti-vaccination groups and movements”[1.82 (1.21-2.76)] were more likely to have confidence in the vaccines. Conclusions The vaccine knowledge levels of the teachers were low and it was seen that approximately half of them had a positive attitude towards vaccines. Teachers with vaccine confidence constituted less than half of the study group. Key messages Increasing the knowledge levels of the individuals may increase the confidence in the vaccines. Health policy makers should organize health education programs to increase teachers' confidence in vaccination considering the fact that they are role models of the communities.

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Overuse of antibiotics for the common cold – attitudes and behaviors among doctors in rural areas of Shandong Province, China

BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology ◽

10.1186/s40360-015-0009-x ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Qiang Sun ◽

Oliver J Dyar ◽

Lingbo Zhao ◽

Göran Tomson ◽

Lennart E Nilsson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Common Cold ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Shandong Province ◽

Attitudes And Behaviors ◽

The Common ◽

And Behaviors

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An evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of employees of a university hospital in an H1N1 influenza pandemic

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.3400 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 8 (05) ◽

pp. 561-569 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Omer Evirgen ◽

Nazan Savas ◽

Vicdan Koksaldi Motor ◽

Yusuf Onlen ◽

Erhan Yengil

Keyword(s):

Influenza Pandemic ◽

H1n1 Influenza ◽

University Hospital ◽

Systematic Sampling ◽

Protection Measures ◽

Attitudes And Behaviors ◽

Study Results ◽

And Behaviors ◽

Systematic Sampling Method ◽

And Behavior

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors concerning the transmission routes of an H1N1 pandemic and the protective measures of health professionals at a university hospital in Turkey. Methodology: A stratified systematic sampling method was used to select the sample size of the study group. A total of 22 professors, 29 researchers, and 26 nurses were included in the study. Results: The mean scores of the individuals were 8.4±2.5 (over 20) for knowledge about H1N1 transmission, 27.6±4.0 (over 60) for knowledge about protection against H1N1, 25.8±4.2 (over 45) for correct or appropriate attitudes, and 33.6±8.9 (over 60) for correct behaviors. A negative correlation between total knowledge and behavior was found (p < 0.001, r = -0.543). Conclusions: In epidemics, standard protection measures should be known and applied. Regarding this topic, the web page of the Ministry of Health comes to the forefront as a reliable source of information in addition to scientific explanations.

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