Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Barriers Associated with Influenza
Vaccination among Health Care Workers, Yemen, 2023-2024
Abstract
Background and objectives: In Yemen, there is currently no
specific/published guideline for influenza vaccination. In addition,
data on knowledge, attitude, and practice, regarding influenza
vaccination among HCWs in Yemen is still not studied yet. This study was
conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, practice, and barriers
regarding influenza vaccination among HCWs in Yemen. Methodology:
Descriptive cross-sectional KAP study was conducted among HCWS in public
and private health care sectors located in Southern-Eastern part of
Yemen. The Online Raosoft software was used for sample size calculation.
If an adequate knowledge level of 50% among HCWs for a maximum sample
size with a margin of error of ±5% and 95% confidence interval, the
required sample size was 415 after adding 10% for incomplete responses.
The convenience sampling method was used to represent the different
geographical locations. A self-structured questionnaire was adapted from
various previous studies in Yemen and other surrounding countries
regarding influenza vaccines. The questionnaire was modified following
an evaluation of technical detail and cultural appropriateness by
MOPH&P research Committee and cleared by WHO ethical committee.
Descriptive statistics was used to describe the findings of the study
regarding seasonal influenza and influenza vaccination. Results: A total
of 415 HCWs participated in the study with a 100% response rate. The
mean age of participants was 37 years (SD = 10.7) and most of the
participants were young adult between 20-35 years (50.6%), out of them
were female (37.8%). 64.1% of responders declared poor knowledge
toward influenza vaccines. However, most of the responders 373 (89.9%)
had never been vaccinated. Lack of knowledge about the disease and the
vaccine (205, 49.4%) and lacking trust in the health system (128,
30.8%) were the mean reasons for no vaccination among study
participants. A greater proportion of responders cited that, the means
source of information about influenza vaccination is HCWs (310=74.7%).
A 62.2% of participants believed that Influenza vaccine is important
and should be taken yearly. The majority of the participants declared
their positive acceptance 279= 67 %. Conclusion: This study highlights
the fact that generally acceptance of influenza vaccination of
healthcare workers in Yemen, and the need to increase efforts and
awareness in the community including health care workers regarding
influenza illness and vaccination to reduce seasonal influenza morbidity
and mortality and consequently the economic and social burden. The
findings of the current study could help devise an immunization policy
for HCWs in Yemen.