The Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs of the Healthcare Workers about Influenza Infection and Vaccination at a Public Hospital in Turkey

Objective: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk in terms of influenza infection. Despite the fact that the HCWs were encouraged to be vaccinated against influenza as one of the prior target group, the vaccine coverage rates are low. This study aimed to assess HCWs' knowledge, attitude and beliefs against influenza infection and influenza vaccination at a public hospital in Turkey.Materials and Methods: At a 1,100-bed hospital in which 2766 HCWs were employed, a face-to-face survey was conducted by four researchers. The information about demographic features, the awareness level of the potential risk of influenza infection on HCWs, influenza vaccination history and future thoughts about vaccination were obtained.Results: In total, 1318 (47.6%) HCWs participated in the study. 72.1% (n=950) of respondents were female, and the mean age was 36.5. A hundred (7.6%) HCWs had laboratory proved influenza infection history. Among the participants 14.9% (n=256) did not consider themselves at high risk in terms of influenza infection, 32.2% (n=425) of respondents claimed that they did not have enough knowledge concerning protective precautions against influenza infection, and 55.5% (n=731) of HCWs have never received influenza vaccine. Only 27 (2%) HCWs got vaccinated against influenza, annually. Leading reasons for non-vaccination were disbelief in personal need (40.1%) and disbelief in beneficial value (36.5%) of influenza vaccine. The 81.9% (n=1079) of HCWs decided not to receive influenza vaccine during the 2018-2019 influenza season.Conclusion: In conclusion, the vaccination rate of HCWs was too low, and the risk of influenza infection was being underestimated. There were misconceptions related to the influenza vaccine. Urgent action is needed to be taken to improve this situation.