Influenza Vaccination; Rates, Knowledge and the Attitudes of Physicians in A University Hospital

Objective: Since physicians are a professional group with the closest contact with the public, they have both an increased risk of becoming infected with the disease and the possibility of contaminating their patients. Knowledge of the percentage of physicians who are currently vaccinated and of their behaviors on the subject of vaccination can play a role in the planning of vaccination services for this group. The aim of this study was to ascertain the attitudes and behaviors of physicians working in a university hospital about the influenza vaccine. Material Methods: This study was conducted in February 2006 as a cross-sectional research. A survey was completed by 212 of the 309 research assistants and 23 of the 26 specialist physicians working in Akdeniz University Hospital. Results: The influenza vaccine was administered to 14.5% of the research participants. The majority of the physicians (69.8%) stated that they had never received an influenza vaccine. Only 37.1% were considering being vaccinated next year. The percentage of those working more than five years who had been vaccinated (40.9%) was higher than the others (26.0%) and the percentage of those working in internal medicine departments who had been vaccinated (36.0%) was higher than those working in surgical divisions (23.6%). Conclusion: The percentage of physicians vaccinated against influenza and their attitudes about this subject is not at the desired level. It is possible to increase the percentage of physicians who are vaccinated by a vaccination organization and education programs.