Thoracic Research and Practice
Original Article

Knowledge of Physicians About Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination

1.

Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, Girne, Turkey

2.

Near East University Ringgold Standard Institution, Partment of Infectious Diseases Nicosia, Cyprus

3.

Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Girne, Turkey

4.

M.Kazım Dinç Kandıra State Hospital, Clinic of Chest Diseases, Kocaeli, Turkey

5.

Dr. Suat Gunsel University of Kyrenia Hospital, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Mersin, Turkey

Thorac Res Pract 2020; 21: 39-43
DOI: 10.5152/TurkThoracJ.2019.180165
Read: 403 Downloads: 157 Published: 13 September 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge level of influenza and pneumococcal vaccine in physicians.

Material and Methods: A questionnaire was performed to physicians who work in Kyrenia University Hospital and Near East University School of Medicine

Results: There were 38 female (56,7%) and 29 male (43,3%). The mean age was 39,3±12,5 years. Influenza vaccine and its’ risk minimization for infection were well known among 92,5 % of the participants. However, 76,1% of them mentioned that they have knowledge about the pneumococcal vaccine and this ratio about its’ reducing the risk of infection was 73,1 %. There were 24 general practitioners and 43 specialists in the study. 83,7% of specialists and 79,2% of general practitioners thought that adult vaccines were effective (p=0,6). The rate of influenza vaccination among specialists was higher than that of general practitioners (67,4% vs 41,7%, p=0,04). However, the rates of pneumococcal vaccination were low and similar in both groups (p=0,3). In both specialists and general practitioners, the most common reason for not having the vaccine was the belief of not being in the risk group (p= 0,9). The knowledge level of pneumococcal vaccination in general practitioners was found to be statistically lower than specialists (p<0,05).

Conclusion: Although influenza vaccine and its’ risk minimization for infection are well known among physicians, the pneumococcal vaccine is not well known. It’s suggested that training about vaccination for both specialists and general practitioners are important for preventive medicine.

Cite this article as: Ünal Evren E, Evren H, Bardak Özcem S, et al. Knowledge of Physicians About Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination. Turk Thorac J 2020; 21(1): 39-43.

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