Professional paper
Health Care Professionals’ Attitudes and Knowledge about Vaccination
Siniša Šalamun
; General Hospital Vukovar
Zrinka Puharić
; Bjelovar University of Applied SCiences, Professional Study Programme in Nursing
Ksenija Eljuga
; Bjelovar University of Applied SCiences, Professional Study Programme in Nursing
Đurđica Grabovac
; Bjelovar University of Applied SCiences, Professional Study Programme in Nursing
Katja Vnučec
; Bjelovar University of Applied SCiences, Professional Study Programme in Nursing
Abstract
Objective: The study analyzed the attitudes and knowledge of health care professionals about vaccinations by sex, age and educational background.
Respondents and methods: Study included 178 respondents from 4 health care institutions and 1 higher education institution. All respondents fulfilled a specially designed survey voluntarily and anonymously.
Results: Statistically significant differences were found in the following statements: The statement "I think that there is a direct connection between vaccines and autism" was considered correct by significantly less women (χ²=6,51, df=1, ap=3,84). The statement "I would like to have my child vaccinated against infectious disease with any currently recommended vaccine "(χ²=12,47, df= 4, ap=9,49) was considered correct by significantly younger respondents.
The most correct attitudes and knowledge were presented at respondents with a university degree in the following answers to questions "Vaccination is the greatest medical success of the 20th century and it saved more lives than any other medical intervention" (χ²=31,85, df=8, ap=15,51), "I believe that the vaccination must be mandatory in Croatia" (χ²=29,08, df=8, ap=15,51), "There is no need for vaccination against eradicated diseases" (χ²=17,59, df=8, ap=15,51), "The level of formaldehyde in vaccines is within acceptable limits" (χ²=30,17, df=8, ap=15,51), "The vaccines cause diseases rather than preventing them" (χ²=20,71, df=8, ap=15,51),"The vaccines should not be given to children under one year of age" (χ²=17,20, df=8, ap=15,51), "The vaccines should not be given to the elderly people" (χ²=24,34, df=8, ap=15,51), " I would like to be vaccinated before traveling to countries where endemic infectious diseases prevail or are present" (χ²=16,74, df=8, ap=15,51), "I would like to have my child vaccinated against infectious diseases with any currently recommended vaccine" (χ²=10,46, df=4, ap=9,49), "The benefits of vaccination transgress the possible side effects of the vaccine" (χ²=30,61, df=8, ap=15,51), "Thiomersal contained in vaccines causes health impairments" (χ²=19,34, df=8, ap=15,51).
Conclusion: Higher level of education has the largest impact on the correct attitudes and skills of respondents. The level of knowledge of health professionals is very important in communication with the patients. Any hesitation, ignorance or indecision of healthcare workers greatly affects the decision of parents and other patients on vaccination.
Keywords
health care professionals; vaccination; attitudes; knowledge
Hrčak ID:
226066
URI
Publication date:
10.10.2019.
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