Evaluation of perspectives and approaches of primary health care physicians to the rotavirus vaccine

Abstract

Aim: Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in children. Rotavirus diarrhea can lead to complications of rotavirus-induced severe diarrhea death resulting in electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Rotavirus vaccination is the most effective method of preventing severe rotavirus infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge levels and attitudes of primary health care providers physicians related to rotavirus vaccine, which is one of the vaccines not yet added to the vaccination schedule in Turkey. Materials and Methods: Physicians working in primary health care institutions in the province of Adýyaman in 2016 agreed to participate and were included in the study. The participants’ demographic characteristics and data obtained from the questionnaire were analyzed using statistical methods on SPSS 22 software. Results: 38 participants, 24 (63.2%) male and 14 (36.8%) female were included in the study. The number of primary health care physicians who thought that rotavirus vaccine was effective 24 (63.2%), while 10 (26.3%) stated that it was not effective and 4 (10.5) had no opinion. Fifteen (39.5%) primary physicians thought that the rotavirus vaccine should be added to the routine vaccination schedule, 10 (26.3%) thought that it need not be added and 13 (34.2%) had no opinion. Conclusion: Rotavirus vaccine is not a well-known that vaccine recommended among primary care physicians. This derives from lack of knowledge of the protective nature of the vaccine and inadequate awareness of it. We think that increasing physicians’ knowledge of vaccines through in-service training will reduce negative attitudes againts it concerning them.