Knowledge, attitude and practice of influenza vaccination among Lebanese parents: A cross-sectional survey from a developing country.
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ABSTRACT: Background
A growing number of parents refuse vaccination due to concerns about side effects. Influenza vaccine is no exception and remains one of the most controversial vaccines. Data regarding influenza vaccine uptake and parental knowledge, attitude and practice towards vaccination in the Lebanese population is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the rate of vaccination refusal and potential associated factors among Lebanese parents of school-aged children, in general and with a focus on influenza vaccine.Methods
A parent questionnaire was distributed in randomly selected 2 public and 2 private schools from the greater Beirut area during the school year 2017-2018. Questionnaires covered knowledge, attitude (including themes of efficacy, hesitancy and trust), and practice of vaccination in general and influenza vaccine in particular.Results
The response rate was 76.5% (306/400). Overall, 29.4% parents reported vaccinating their children against influenza (62.2% in private and 37.7% in public schools). Younger age, paternal employment and higher household income were associated with higher vaccination rates (p = 0.01, 0.02 and <0.0001 respectively). Lack of vaccine recommendation by the physician was the most common reason for not taking it (47%). Parents who accepted influenza vaccination had higher scores in efficacy, hesitancy and trust and were more compliant with other vaccinations.Conclusion
One third of parents of school aged children in the greater Beirut area vaccinate their children against influenza. This rate is likely lower in rural remote areas. Physician's recommendation is the single most important predictor of such vaccination. Future studies tackling physicians' attitude and practice are needed to help improve influenza vaccination rates in the Lebanese population.
SUBMITTER: Zakhour R
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8516244 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Background and aimThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted human lives across the world. In a country like India, with the second highest population in the world, impact of COVID-19 has been diverse and multidimensional. Under such circumstances, vaccination against COVID-19 infection is claimed to be one of the major solutions to contain the pandemic. Understanding of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) measures are essential prerequisites to design suitable intervention programs. This paper examines the different KAP factors in Indians towards their decision of vaccine uptake.MethodAn online questionnaire was administered to Indian respondents. (Pilot study: n = 100, Main study: n = 221) to assess their existing knowledge on COVID-19 infections and vaccination, attitude and intentions towards COVID-19 vaccines and their decision towards COVID-19 vaccine uptake.ResultThe findings highlighted that existing knowledge on COVID-19 infections and vaccination directly impacted their attitude and intention towards vaccination. The attitude and intention towards COVID-19 vaccines directly impacted their practice of undergoing COVID-19 vaccination. Further, there was a statistically significant and considerably large indirect effect of existing knowledge on COVID-19 infections and vaccination on the practice of undergoing COVID-19 vaccination through attitude and intention towards the vaccine. There was no direct effect of Knowledge (existing knowledge on COVID-19 infections and vaccination) on Practice (decision to undergo COVID-19 vaccination). Therefore, Attitude and intention towards COVID-19 vaccine is the primary mediator between Knowledge (existing knowledge on COVID-19 infections and vaccination) and Practice (decision to undergo COVID-19 vaccination).ConclusionParticipants decision towards COVID-19 vaccination decisions are strongly related to their attitude and intentions that confirms the strong role of attitude towards success of COVID-19 vaccination programme. Therefore, 'person-centric' attitude based positive intervention strategies that links their prior knowledge on COVID-19 infections and vaccination must be designed for greater vaccine acceptance amongst Indians.
| S-EPMC9087425 | biostudies-literature
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| S-EPMC8193173 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The Middle East and North Africa region, including Lebanon, is well known for its excessive cosmetics expenditure. While the use of beauty products is increasing, it is unclear if customers are aware of the products' safety and proper use.ObjectiveTo explore Lebanese women's knowledge and attitudes toward cosmetics use.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2021 among a sample of adult Lebanese women. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire divided into 3 sections (sociodemographic characteristics, cosmetics knowledge, and attitude) and shared via social media platforms. Knowledge and attitude scores were then calculated. Descriptive and regression analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. P value < .05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsA total of 1,051 females completed the survey, and the age range of the majority 744 (70.8%) was between 18 and 20 years. The mean score of participants' knowledge was 7.54 ± 2.7 (range 0-14) with 658 (62.6%) of the respondents being knowledgeable about cosmetics. The study sample exhibited an overall positive attitude toward cosmetics. A significant association was observed between the area of residency and monthly income of respondents and their knowledge toward cosmetic products (P < .001).LimitationsThe self-administered questionnaire may have resulted in information bias and it targeted only those having internet access, and the age group 18 to 20 years was overrepresented.ConclusionThe study sample demonstrated a good level of knowledge as well as a positive attitude toward cosmetics. However, raising awareness on the acute and chronic side effects of cosmetics is warranted.
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Project description:BackgroundHealthcare professionals are the primary frontiers of the fight against every public health threat. These had made them vulnerable to various infectious agents, with many reports of morbidity and mortality also being evident.ObjectivesThe current study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19 among community pharmacists in Gondar town, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection, and the collected data were coded, validated, and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Quantitative data were summarized using means and standard deviations, while frequencies and proportions were used to summarize categorical data. A chi-square test was used to assess an association between the different variables, and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance at a 95% confidence interval.ResultsA total of 46 community pharmacy professionals had participated in the study. The main sources of information about COVID-19 were news media 29 (63%), followed by social media 24 (52.2%). The mean knowledge score was 8.15 (standard deviation: 1.86), and among the total study participants, 29 (63%) were found to have good knowledge about COVID-19. The mean attitude score was 31.52 (standard deviation: 4.288). Only 30.4% of the study participants were found to have a good practice toward the prevention of COVID-19. Chi-square results showed that having a good knowledge of COVID-19 was significantly associated with practice (P = 0.035).ConclusionSignificant gaps were identified concerning community pharmacy professional's knowledge of COVID-19 and their practice toward prevention of the disease. Strategies should be implemented to equip community pharmacy professionals with all necessary information about COVID-19 through continuous training programs and other virtual platforms.
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Project description:BackgroundDespite the fact that malnutrition can affect both recovery and outcome in acute care patients, little is known about malnutrition in Palestine, and even less is known about the assessment of malnutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices (M-KAP) toward healthcare providers and nutrition care quality measures in hospitalized patients. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the M-KAP of physicians and nurses in routine clinical care and determine the influencing factors.MethodsFrom April 1 to June 31, 2019, cross-sectional research was performed at governmental (n = 5) and non-governmental (n = 4) hospitals in the North West Bank of Palestine. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire from physicians and nurses to collect information on knowledge, attitude, and practices related to malnutrition and nutrition care, alongside sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsA total of 405 physicians and nurses were participated in the study. Only 56% of participants strongly agreed that nutrition was important, only 27% strongly agreed that there should be nutrition screening, only 25% felt food helped with recovery, and around 12% felt nutrition as part of their job. Approximately 70% of participants said they should refer to a dietitian, but only 23% knew how and only 13% knew when. The median knowledge/attitude score was 71, with an IQR ranging from 65.00 to 75.00, and the median practice score was 15.00 with an IQR of 13.00-18.00. The mean knowledge attitude practice score was 85.62 out of 128 with SD (9.50). Respondents who worked in non-governmental hospitals showed higher practice scores (p < 0.05), while staff nurses and ICU workers showed the highest practice score (p < 0.001). Respondents with younger age categories, working in non-governmental hospitals in the ICU as practical and staff nurses, showed the highest KAP score (p < 0.05). Significance positive correlations were found between respondents' knowledge/attitude and practice scores regarding the quality of nutrition care in hospitals (r = 0.384, p value < 0.05). In addition, the result also revealed that almost half of respondents believed that the most important barriers to inadequate intake of food at the bedside are related to food appearance, taste, and aroma of meals served (58.0%).ConclusionsThe research revealed that inadequate knowledge was perceived as a barrier to effective nutrition care to the patient. Many beliefs and attitudes do not always translate into practice. Although the M-KAP of physicians and nurses is lower than in some other countries/studies, it highlights a strong need for more nutrition professionals in the hospital and increasing nutrition education to improve nutrition care in hospitals in Palestine. Furthermore, establishing a nutrition task force in hospitals elaborated by dietitians as the unique nutrition care provider will assure to implementation of a standardized nutrition care process.
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Project description:Severity and incidence of vaccine-preventable infections with influenza viruses, s. pneumoniae and c. tetani increase with age. Furthermore, vaccine coverage in the elderly is often insufficient. The aim of this study is to identify socio-economic and knowledge-, attitude- and practice- (KAP)-related determinants of vaccination against influenza, pneumococcal disease and tetanus in the older German population.We analysed data from a German nationally representative questionnaire-based KAP-survey on infection prevention and hygiene behavior in the elderly (n = 1223). We used logistic regressions to assess impacts of socio-demographic- and KAP-related variables on vaccine uptake in general and on tetanus-, influenza- and pneumococcal vaccination. To generate KAP-scores, we applied factor analyses and analysed scores as predictors of specific vaccinations.A low rated personal health status was associated with a higher uptake of influenza vaccine whereas place of residence within Germany strongly impacted on pneumococcal vaccination. For tetanus and influenza vaccination, the strongest single vaccination predictor was attitude-related, i.e., the perceived importance of the vaccine (OR = 18.1, 95 % CI = 4.5-71.8; OR = 23.0, 95 % CI = 14.9-35.3, respectively). Pneumococcal vaccination was mostly knowledge-associated, i.e., knowing the recommendation predicted uptake (OR = 17.1, 95 % CI = 9.5-30.7). Regarding the generated KAP-scores, the practice-score reflecting vaccine related behavior such as having a vaccination record, was predictive for all vaccines considered. The knowledge-score was associated with influenza (OR = 1.3, 95 % CI = 1.0-1.6) and pneumococcal vaccination (OR = 1.2, 95 % CI = 1.0-1.5). Uniquely for influenza vaccination, the attitude-score was linked to vaccine uptake (OR = 1.1, 95 % CI = 1.0-1.1).Our results indicate that predictors of vaccination uptake in the elderly strongly depend on vaccine type and that scores of KAP are useful and valid to condense information from numerous individual KAP-variables. While awareness for vaccinations against influenza and tetanus is fairly high already it might have to be increased for vaccinations against pneumocoocal infections.
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Project description:BackgroundSeasonal influenza vaccination uptake among young children in Thailand is low despite national recommendation for vaccination. We implemented a knowledge, attitude/perception, and practice survey to understand determinants of influenza vaccination in children aged six months to two years.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, we interviewed caregivers of 700 children in seven hospitals using a structured questionnaire to collect information on caregivers' and children's demographic characteristics, and caregivers' knowledge of influenza illness and national vaccine recommendation, attitude/perception toward influenza vaccine, and information sources. We verified children's influenza vaccination status against medical records (vaccinated vs. unvaccinated). Logistic regression was used to examine factors independently associated with children receiving influenza vaccination in the 2018 season using the dataset restricted to only children's parents. Variables associated with vaccination at p-value ≤0.20 were included in subsequent multivariable logistic models. Significant independent determinants of children's influenza vaccination and collinearity of covariates were assessed. The final model was constructed using a stepwise backward elimination approach with variables significant at p-value <0.05 retained in the model.ResultsDuring August 2018-February 2019, 700 children's caregivers completed the questionnaire; 61 (9%) were caregivers of vaccinated children. Caregivers of the vaccinated children were statistically more likely to have higher education (61% vs. 38%; p-value<0.01) and to know of influenza illness (93% vs. 76%; p-value = 0.03) than those of the unvaccinated group. Factors associated with children receiving influenza vaccination were identifying healthcare providers as a primary source of information about influenza illness for parents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-6.0), parents' strongly agreeing with the national recommendation for influenza vaccination in young children (aOR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.5-5.9), using health insurance provided by the government or parent's employer for children's doctor visits (aOR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.1-6.6), and the children's history of receiving influenza vaccination in the 2017 season or earlier (aOR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.4-7.8).ConclusionThe majority of caregivers of children in this study had knowledge of influenza illness and influenza vaccine. Caregivers reported various sources of information regarding influenza illness and the vaccine, but healthcare providers remained the most trusted source. Children's history of influenza vaccination in prior season(s) was the strongest determinant of children being vaccinated for influenza in the current season.
| S-EPMC8232445 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Herpes zoster (HZ) is a prevalent disease characterized by a painful rash. A multi‑country study was conducted to elicit public and physician knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward HZ disease and vaccination for the assessment of local factors influencing HZ vaccine perceptions in four Asian-Pacific countries/territories One-to-one qualitative interviews were conducted in 2022, among the public (people aged ≥ 50 years, adults with parents aged ≥ 50 years, zoster vaccine live-vaccinated individuals aged ≥ 50 years in Republic of Korea, and HZ patients; n = 78) and physicians (general practitioners and specialists; n = 24). Themes surrounding KAP toward HZ and HZ vaccination were summarized using a thematic analysis. A substantial knowledge gap related to HZ was observed among the public, including its causes, long-term impacts, and the at-risk population. There was a low perceived risk of HZ and low general awareness of HZ vaccine availability, although country/territory-specific differences existed. Fear of HZ-associated pain contributed toward vaccination intent among HZ patients and adults with parents aged ≥ 50 years. HZ-naïve adults who were encouraged to receive the vaccine by others were not motivated to do so due to optimism bias. Physicians were perceived to be a reliable source of information. However, physicians did not always proactively discuss HZ vaccination due to time constraints and a perceived need to prioritize other vaccinations including influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. Initiatives are needed to improve public awareness of HZ and its complications, in terms of overall impact on individuals and society, and highlight the important role of physicians in recommending vaccination.
| S-EPMC10913700 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundSkin cancer is one of the most common cancers, and melanoma is a highly preventable cancer. In Ecuador, few studies have evaluated the awareness levels of the population about the disease. For this reason, the objective of this study was to measure the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding skin cancer and its determining factors.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis using an online self-assessment questionnaire containing 40 questions was delivered. A total of 537 participants were included in this study. Knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were assigned to each participant based on the number of correct or appropriate responses. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios.ResultsIn total, 75% of participants referenced knowledge of the harmful effects related to noncontrolled solar exposure. Concerning sunscreen, 76.7% knew the reason for using it. The female group was 1.68 times more likely to get a higher score than the male group, and the groups between 61-70 and 71-80 years were 0.30 and 0.17 times less likely to get a higher score compared with the less than 20-years-old group, respectively.ConclusionsThe findings of this study indicate the requirement to increase the population's knowledge about skin cancer and possible protection measures. For this reason, the prevention and health promotion programs at a national level from primary healthcare centers are recommended. Due to the limitation of the representativeness of the sample, the use of more studies among Ecuadorian residents of the low socioeconomic level and replication in different provinces of Ecuador is justified.
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