Understanding knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Iraqi academics and health professionals regarding influenza vaccine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2025.251.322333Keywords:
Academic, Health professional, Influenza vaccine, IraqAbstract
Background: Despite its availability, the uptake of the flu vaccine remains below expectations. The study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding influenza vaccine across a sample of Iraqi academics and healthcare professionals.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and July 2024 using a questionnaire distributed online to healthcare professionals and academics in Kerbala City, Iraq.
Results: Of 121 participants, 12.40% were pharmacists, 14.88% were nurses, 4.96% were lab technicians, 19.83% were pharmacy professors, and 47.93% were students. Negative perceptions and a lack of recommendations are the factors that contribute to the high ranks of participants' attitudes. Participants significantly reported their readiness to get the vaccine if it is recommended by the healthcare professional (P = 0.049), and if in the National Immunisation Program (P = 0.035). The adjusted odd’s ratio showed that being married (OR 3.811, 95% CI 1.108-13.107, P = 0.034), not receiving the flu vaccine during childhood (OR 0.174, 95% CI 0.062-0.486, P = 0.01) was significantly associated with reduced flu vaccine uptake.
Conclusion: The study showed that low vaccine uptake was driven by insufficient knowledge, negative perceptions, and a lack of healthcare professional recommendations. Additionally, having received childhood vaccines was identified as a potential predictor for future flu vaccine acceptance.
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