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Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge of Influenza and Influenza Vaccination: Results of a National Survey in Poland

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Current Concepts in Medical Research and Practice

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((NR,volume 1039))

Abstract

In Poland, the seasonal influenza vaccination rate is just barely 3% which may be related to the unsatisfactory knowledge of influenza among healthcare professionals, poor recognition of the benefits of influenza immunization and the fear of side effects. To address these issues, we surveyed healthcare professionals through an online questionnaire consisting of 18 closed-ended items. The questionnaire was completed by 495 healthcare professionals, mostly physicians (83%). The results revealed gaps in the knowledge concerning influenza diagnosis, complications, risk groups, and prognostic factors. On average, respondents only answered 4.8 of the 18 questions correctly (27%). Only 10% of respondents passed the threshold of 50% correct answers. The knowledge of contraindications to vaccination far outweighed the knowledge of indications for vaccination. Poor knowledge with a focus on the adverse effects of immunization may be a significant factor responsible for the low vaccination rate in Poland. To increase vaccination rate, healthcare professionals need to be educated about influenza-related risks and benefits of vaccination.

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Conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics with Clinical Assessment Unit, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

    Ernest Kuchar

  2. Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland

    Kamila Ludwikowska

  3. Department of General and Oncological Pulmonology, Lodz Medical University, Lodz, Poland

    Adam Antczak

  4. Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, 3 Oczki Street, 02-007, Warsaw, Poland

    Aneta Nitsch-Osuch

Authors
  1. Ernest Kuchar
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  2. Kamila Ludwikowska
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  3. Adam Antczak
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  4. Aneta Nitsch-Osuch
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aneta Nitsch-Osuch .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Opole Medical School, Opole, Poland

    Mieczyslaw Pokorski

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Kuchar, E., Ludwikowska, K., Antczak, A., Nitsch-Osuch, A. (2017). Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge of Influenza and Influenza Vaccination: Results of a National Survey in Poland. In: Pokorski, M. (eds) Current Concepts in Medical Research and Practice. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology(), vol 1039. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/5584_2017_78

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