Journal article
An assessment of healthcare professionals’ knowledge about and attitude towards influenza vaccination in Freetown Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study
BMC public health, Vol.17, pp.692-692
2017
PMCID: PMC5584505
PMID: 28870202
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Abstract
Background: Vaccinating healthcare professionals against influenza is considered an effective infection control
measure. However, there is a low uptake of influenza vaccine among healthcare professionals around the globe.
Currently, it is unknown whether healthcare professionals in Sierra Leone are aware of, and have been vaccinated
against influenza. Also, there is a paucity of research evidence on their level of knowledge and attitude toward
influenza vaccination. This study assessed healthcare professionals’ current influenza vaccine uptake rate, reasons for
not getting vaccinated as well as their awareness, knowledge of, and attitude towards influenza vaccination in
Freetown Sierra Leone.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and April 2016 among healthcare providers
working in four public and two private health facilities in Freetown Sierra Leone. Linear regression analysis, one-way
ANOVA and independent t-test were employed for data analysis.
Results: Among 706 respondents that participated in the study more than half were females 378 (53.6%), nurses
425 (60.4%), and the majority were between the age group of 20-39 years 600 (85.3%). Only 46 (6.5%) were
vaccinated against influenza. Key reasons for not vaccinated against influenza were less awareness about influenza
vaccination among HCPs 580 (82.73%) with (β = 0.154; CI 0.058–0.163), the high cost of influenza vaccines and
therefore not normally purchased 392 (55.92%) having (β = 0.150; CI 0.063–0.186). More than half believed that
HCPs are less susceptible to influenza infections than other people. Also, majority 585 (84.3%) of HCPs thought that
influenza disease could be transmitted after symptoms appear. In addition, 579 (83.2%) of HCPs felt that symptoms
usually appear 8–10 days after exposure. Close to half 321 (46.0%) of HCPs were not aware of the influenza
immunisation guidelines published by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and Centre for Disease
Control.
Conclusion: Influenza vaccine coverage among healthcare professionals in Freetown Sierra Leone was low. High
cost, inadequate knowledge about influenza and its vaccine as well as the lack of awareness of vaccine availability
were key barriers. Increasing access to influenza vaccine and the use of appropriate educational interventions to
increase knowledge and awareness are required to improve influenza vaccination coverage among HCPs.
Details
- Title
- An assessment of healthcare professionals’ knowledge about and attitude towards influenza vaccination in Freetown Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study
- Creators
- Peter Bai James (Author) - University of Sierra LeoneInayat Ur Rehman (Author) - Monash University MalaysiaAbdulai Jawo Bah (Author) - University of Sierra LeoneMichael Lahai (Author) - University of Sierra LeoneChristine Princess Cole (Author) - University of Sierra LeoneTahir Mehmood Khan (Author) - Monash University Malaysia
- Publication Details
- BMC public health, Vol.17, pp.692-692
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Identifiers
- 991012921500402368
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article