Factors related to influenza A (H1N1) vaccination among healthcare workers in Prapokklao Hospital.

Abstract

Background : Low acceptance of vaccination against the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) among healthcare workers at Prapokklao Hospital (39-60 percent) even though a safe and effective vaccination was available.

Objective : To determine the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs toward influenza vaccination among healthcare workers at Prapokklao Hospital.

Method : A Cross-sectional investigation of a stratified and simple random of 402 healthcare workers at Prapokklao Hospital was conducted between December 15, 2010 and January 15, 2011 by the use of standardized,anonymous, self-administered questionnaire.

Results : Three hundred and eighty of respondents (94.52 percent), the Influenza vaccination coverage was low at a rate of 58.15 percent. The knowledge of influenza disease and prevention was at a rate of 90.8 percent but not related to the acceptance of vaccination of personal. The healthcare workers who beliefs that influenza must not vaccinate significance got an influenza vaccination less than the other (OR=0.51; 95% CI=0.32-0.80).Among the personal who agree with low side effects of vaccination were significance uptake vaccination (OR=2.32 ; 95% CI=1.30-4.17). The Attitudes of the group of healthcare workers who agree with a policy of vaccination against the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) were uptake vaccination more than the other (OR=2.26; 95% CI= 1.05-4.88). The main reasons of
refusal of vaccination were fear of side effects.

Conclusion : Although healthcare workers had adequate level of knowledge towards influenza disease and prevention, only 58.15 percent of them were vaccinated. To improving influenza vaccination need for accessible information targeting healthcare workers’ fears and misconceptions about influenza vaccines