Awareness of diabetic adult patients about immunization

Abstract

Background. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with an increased rate of infection, which was partly explained by a decreased T cell-mediated response, and although being controversial, impaired function of neutrophil associated with diabetes is also documented. The purpose was to determine awareness of type 2 Diabetic patients about immunization against hepatitis-B, influenza, tetanus and zona, to find out the source of current vaccine information. Materials and methods. The study was planned as a single centred, prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical trial. The questionnaire form was applied to patients diagnosed with type 2 DM, who applied to Diabetics Outpatient Clinic by face-to-face interview technique. Results. A total of 439 patients was evaluated; the diagnosis time of 38.5, 19, 24 and 18% of the patients was determined as 0–5 years, 6–10 years, 11–15 years and more than 16 years, respectively. Organ damage was detected in 76 of the patients, and as the most common complication, retinopathy was found to be in 57 (13.01%) patients. Among the patients, 175 (39.86%) of them had coexisting hypertension, and 164 (37.36%) of them had coexisting hyperlipidaemia. Whereas 153 (35.75%) were aware of pneumococcal vaccine, the number of patients who got vaccinated was 55 (12.53%). Whereas 336 (76.54%) were aware of influenza vaccine, 108 (24.60%) of them got vaccinated. Among the patients, 179 (40.77%) heard of hepatitis B vaccine, but 34 (7.74%) got vaccinated. It was determined that, 279 people heard od tetanus vaccine, 183 people were administered at least one dose of vaccine, however the last vaccine of 101 (55.49%) of those who had tetanus vaccine, was more than 11 years ago. Only 3 out of 33 (7.52%), who knew about the zona vaccine, got vaccinated. In that study, 243 (55.35%) people got vaccinated in adulthood for any reason. There was no significant relationship between education level and duration of disease and vaccination. Conclusions. Adult immunization rates of diabetic patients were found to be in low levels. The primary care professionals play an essential role in the immunization of diabetic patients.