Acceptance of Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Among Slovenian Physicians, 2016
- PMID: 30745950
- PMCID: PMC6368670
- DOI: 10.2478/sjph-2019-0006
Acceptance of Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Among Slovenian Physicians, 2016
Abstract
Introduction: Vaccination against seasonal influenza is recommended for all healthcare workers including physicians in Slovenia to protect vulnerable individuals and reduce transmission of influenza viruses. The aim of our study is to determine the uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination among Slovenian physicians, to identify factors associated with that vaccination and assess their attitudes and beliefs regarding vaccination and vaccine-preventable diseases.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed among physician members of the Slovenian Medical Chamber. The link to the anonymous web-based questionnaire was sent to 8,297 physicians. We estimated the overall proportion of physicians who vaccinate against influenza, while the possible associations with collected explanatory variables were explored in univariate analyses.
Results: The response rate to the survey was 10.8%. 75.9% (95% CI: 73.1-78.7%) physicians vaccinate themselves against influenza (regularly or occasionally) and 24.1% (95% CI: 21.2-26.8%) do not vaccinate (not any more or never). In univariate analysis only, the area of work was statistically significant when associated with vaccinating against influenza (p=0.002). Among physicians who expressed some misconceptions regarding vaccination and vaccine-preventable diseases (it is better to overcome disease naturally as vaccines pose a higher risk than disease) the proportion of vaccinated against influenza was low (43.2%; 95% CI: 27.9-58.4%, 27.3%; 95% CI: 7.1-47.5%).
Conclusion: Not trusting in vaccination or professional recommendations regarding vaccination and some misconceptions regarding vaccination and vaccine-preventable diseases may influence the decision to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza among Slovenian physicians.
Uvod: Cepljenje proti sezonski gripi je priporočljivo za zaščito ranljivih posameznikov in zmanjšanje prenosa virusov influence za vse zdravstvene delavce v Sloveniji, vključno z zdravniki. Namen raziskave je bil med slovenskimi zdravniki ugotoviti delež cepljenih proti sezonski gripi, določiti dejavnike, povezane s tem cepljenjem ter oceniti njihov odnos in prepričanja glede cepljenja in bolezni, ki jih preprečujemo s cepljenjem.
Metode: Izvedena je bila presečna raziskava med zdravniki, ki so člani Zdravniške zbornice Slovenije. Link do anonimnega spletnega vprašalnika je bil poslan 8.297 zdravnikom. Ocenili smo skupni delež zdravnikov, ki se cepijo proti gripi, morebitno povezanost z izbranimi pojasnjevalnimi spremenljivkami smo proučili z univariatnimi analizami.
Rezultati: Stopnja odgovora v raziskavi je bila 10,8 %, 75,9 % (95 % CI: 73,1-78,7 %) zdravnikov se cepi proti gripi (redno ali občasno), 24,1 % (95 % CI: 21,2-26,8 %) pa se jih ne cepi (ne več ali nikoli). V univariatni analizi se je le področje dela izkazalo za statistično značilno povezano s cepljenjem proti sezonski gripi (p = 0,002). Med zdravniki, ki so izrazili nekatera napačna prepričanja v zvezi s cepljenjem in boleznimi, ki jih preprečujemo s cepljenjem (bolje je bolezen preboleti po naravni poti, cepiva predstavljajo večje tveganje kot bolezen), je bil delež cepljenjih proti influenci nizek (43,2 %; 95 % CI: 27,9-58,4 %, 27,3 %; 95 % CI: 7,1-47,5 %).
Zaključek: Nezaupanje v cepljenje ali v strokovna priporočila glede cepljenja ter nekatera napačna prepričanja v zvezi s cepljenjem in boleznimi, ki jih preprečujemo s cepljenjem, lahko vplivajo na odločitev o cepljenju proti sezonski gripi med slovenskimi zdravniki.
Keywords: Slovenia; influenza; physicians; vaccinations.
Conflict of interest statement
Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no financial, professional or personal conflicting interests related to this article.
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