• H K Haridi, K A Salman, E A Basaif, and D K Al-Skaibi.
• General Directorate of Health Affairs, Hail Region, Saudi Arabia; King Abdulla Medical City, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: hassankasim@hotmail.com.
• J. Hosp. Infect. 2017 Jul 1; 96 (3): 268-275.

BackgroundInfluenza vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) is essential for patient safety, their own safety, and hospital operation. However, despite its strong recommendation, studies indicates a low rate of vaccine uptake.AimTo assess rates of, and factors affecting, influenza vaccine uptake among HCWs.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out during October 1st to 16th, 2015, among HCWs in King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was distributed to HCWs; this included questions on demographic characteristics, vaccine uptake, and knowledge, beliefs, attitude, and concern about influenza vaccine.FindingsOut of 500 HCWs approached, 447 returned valid self-reported questionnaires with response rate 89.4%. Overall, 88.3% of the participants reported receiving vaccination during the 2014/15 season, higher than during the 2013/14 (61.2%) and 2012/13 (54.5%) seasons. Self-protection (81.5%) was the main reason for vaccination, whereas 73.4% of HCWs reported vaccination to protect patients. The main reasons for vaccination avoidance were misconception that the vaccine causes influenza (38.5%) and concern about vaccine efficacy (32.7%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the following were independently associated with vaccine receipt among HCWs: awareness of vaccine guidelines; intention to receive the vaccine next season; nurses and other HCWs compared to physicians; longer practice; and age >40 years.ConclusionA good uptake of influenza vaccine was achieved during the 2014/15 season following adoption of mandatory vaccination policy. Awareness programmes are needed to correct HCWs' misconceptions about the vaccine. Efforts need to focus especially on physicians, younger staff and new recruits.Copyright © 2017 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

23 keywords...

hide…