Background
Immunization of health care workers (HCWs) is beneficial and effective in reducing nosocomial infections among elderly patientsand other patients at risk. In the meantime, it has also been promoted as means of reducing staff illness. This study aims to identify influenza vaccine uptake by HCWs in North West Bank and to assess the reasons for accepting or rejecting the vaccine.
Methods
A cross sectional study was conducted using a structured self-administered questionnaire. A Proportionate stratified sampling technique was used to select the study participants from the North West Bank hospitals during Jan 2014.
Results
Influenza vaccination uptake was reported among 21% of among the Health care workers. The most common motivators for being vaccinated were being afraid of transmitting flu to family (70.5%) and to patients (53.8%), while concerns that the healthy person does not need vaccination (49%) and thoughts that the vaccine is not effective against swine flu (41.1%) were the most common barriers for not being vaccinated
Conclusions
Uptake of influenza immunization among HCWs is low. Attitudes to one’s health and to the value of influenza immunization affect the uptake. Health authorities should build message highlighting how the benefit of vaccination outweighs risk.
 

Title

Jacobs Journal of Community Medicine

Publisher

JACOBS Publisher

Publisher Country

United States of America

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

1

Year

2015

Pages

--