Aile hekimlerinin pandemik influenza (H1N1) aşısına yaklaşımı

Abstract

Summary Objective: In our study, we aimed to determine the attitudes of family physicians towards the pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine, and to reveal which references and criteria were considered in making their decisions, in an e-mail group where academicians, specialists and residents of family medicine communicate with each other. Methods: This study was planned as a cross-sectional survey, and was created in the web base of “Google Documents, Forms”. The study was conducted between 31.10 – 07.11.2009. The link including the objectives and informative text was sent to the family physicians’ and residents’ electronic communication (e-mail) group. A total of 13 questions of different types were asked. Descriptive rates and Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Within the e-mail group, 115 (11.6%) of 985 members participated in the study. Of the respondents, 102 (89.5%) were specialists and 12 (10.5%) were residents. The answers to “Will You Get the H1N1 Flu Vaccine?” question were “yes” in 63 (54.8%) and “no” in 37 (32.2%). 15 (%13.0) had “not decided” whether or not to get the vaccine. The majority of the attendees (80.9%) indicated that they were recommending the vaccines to their patients. Attendees stated that, in their decisions, they had mostly taken articles from international literature (79.1%) and then respectively expert opinions, documents of Ministry of Health and national articles into consideration as their information resources. Conclusions: Special attention should be given to informing the health personnel in all health problems. This information must be backed up with high levels of scientific evidence and time has to be taken into consideration for maturing decisions.