SEASONAL INFLUENZA: KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND VACCINE UPTAKE AMONG ADULT VISITORS OF PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CENTERS, TAIF, SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Seasonal Influenza vaccination is the suitable tool to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death from complications of influenza in vulnerable patients (patients with chronic diseases, elderly, pregnant women and children). Objectives: To explore the knowledge and attitude about influenza virus and its vaccine as well as to estimate the uptake status of seasonal influenza vaccination and its determinants among adult patients. Patients and methods: A cross sectional design was implemented in Taif city, Western Saudi Arabia among a random sample of adult patients aged between 18 and 65 years attended the primary health care centers affiliated to Ministry of health. A self administered structured validated questionnaire was used for collecting data. Results: A total of 340 adult patients were included in the study. More than half of them (53.5%) were females. Their age ranged between 18 and 65 years with an arithmetic mean of 40.2 years and standard deviation of 13.3 years. Vast majority (99.1%) of the participants were aware about vaccination. The most frequently reported sources of awareness about vaccination were healthcare professionals (22.8%), and family/relatives/friends (18.4%). The total knowledge score ranged between 4 and 12, out of a maximum possible of 13. The median and (IQR) were 8 (8-9). Younger (p=0.007), higher educated (p=0.001), divorced participants (p=0.006), those had their information about vaccination from the community (p=0.037) and participants without history of chronic health problems (p=0.009) were more knowledgeable. The total attitude score ranged between 0 and 8, out of a maximum possible of 10. The median and (IQR) were 3 (2-5). Saudi participants (p=0.019), higher educated (p<0.001), participants who had their information about vaccination from the healthcare professionals (p<0.001) and non smokers (p<0.001) were more likely to express positive attitude towards influenza and its vaccine compared to others. History of receiving a vaccination against influenza in the last season was mentioned by 37.4% of the participants. Females were at lower significant probability of not receiving the vaccine compared to males (Adjusted odds ratio “AOR”=0.35; 95% confidence interval “CI: 0.25-0.81, p=0.008). Compared to primary school educated participants, those with Diploma or Bachelor degrees were at higher risk for not receiving the vaccine (AOR=14.77; 95% “CI: 2.39-91.45, p=0.004 and AOR=3.46; 95% CI: 1.28-9.38, 0.014, respectively). Compared to singles, divorced participants were less likely to not receive the vaccine (AOR=0.23; 95% “CI: 0.09-0.58, p=0.002). Participants with higher knowledge or attitude scores were less likely to not receive the vaccine (AOR=0.64; 95% “CI: 0.56-0.75, p<0.001 and AOR=0.060, 95% CI: 0.49-0.75, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Uptaking of vaccination against influenza in the last season was far below the recommended rate. However, participants with higher knowledge or attitude were more likely to receive the vaccine than their counterparts.

Keywords: Seasonal influenza, Vaccine, Knowledge, Attitude, Uptake