Abstract

A STUDY TO ASSESS KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE REGARDING H1N1 INFLUENZA A VACCINATION AMONG RESIDENTS AND INTERNS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL AT SURAT

Payal Naik*, Arvindsingh Panwar, Swati Patel, Rachana Prasad and Vipul Srivastava

ABSTRACT

Background: Influenza is contagious disease with high mortality rate worldwide. Swine flu is caused by Influenza type A virus known as H1N1. Health care workers are at higher risk for infection by exposures. As per WHO recommendations, healthcare workers should immunize as a first priority. The study was planned to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of H1N1 influenza A vaccine among residents and interns in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This was a cross sectional study carried out amongst 48 residents and 30 interns doctors during period of April-July 2016. A pre designed and pre tested, multiple choice questionnaires was used to assess the knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding swine flu vaccine. Results: Knowledge of participants regarding swine flu vaccine was high in residents doctors as the mean score of correct answers marked was 151. Attitude of participants toward vaccination was favourable (mean score -128.4). Only 30 (12%) candidates have taken the vaccine which shows very poor practice. Conclusions: This study shows poor knowledge, favourable attitude and poor practice for swine flu vaccination among residents and interns. The knowledge of doctors about the various aspects of swine flu vaccine should be upgraded by educational programmes.

Keywords: Knowledge, Influenza A vaccine, Swine flu, Attitude, Practice.