Estado de vacunación en profesionales y técnicos del equipo de salud de Hospitales estatales de la Provincia de Córdoba, Argentina

Abstract

Objective: To determine the immunization status of health professionals and technicians belonging to the health team from state hospitals of the province of Cordoba regarding Hepatitis B vaccine; Measles and Rubella vaccine; Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine (MMR); Diphtheria and Tetanus vaccine (DT); and influenza (flu) vaccine. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on a sample of 844 workers from public hospitals belonging to the Ministry of Health of the province of Cordoba during the years 2013 and 2014. A self administered questionnaire was used and univariate analysis and bivariate analysis were done. For the assessment of factors associated with vaccination, chi square statistics was applied; a 5% margin of error was defined (p < 0.05) and a confidence interval of 95 %. Results: The proportion of professionals and technicians with coverage was: Diphtheria and Tetanus Vaccine (DT) 87.2%, Hepatitis B vaccine 77.6%, MMR vaccine or Measles and Rubella vaccine 69.0% and influenza vaccine 55.2%. Better immunization status was found among those with higher education, less seniority, and younger age with significant differences regarding sex in hepatitis B and less seniority in Measles and Rubella vaccine. Conclusion: The workers studied present an immunization status below the one internationally recommended. However, it is similar or higher to the level reported in different countries, showing that the under-coverage of health professionals is an outspread problem that must be prioritized by the authorities, given the implications for the workers themselves and the population they assist.