Knowledge, attitude and practice of influenza vaccination among Lebanese parents: A cross-sectional survey from a developing country.

Ramia Zakhour,Joanne Khoury,Lama Charafeddine,Farah Faytrouni,Maha Makki,Hani Tamim,Mohamad Alameddine

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0258258

Ramia Zakhour, Joanne Khoury + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0258258

Copy DOI

Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Oct 14, 2021
Citations: 13	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: American University of Beirut Medical Center

Abstract

BackgroundA growing number of parents refuse vaccination due to concerns about side effects. Influenza vaccine is no exception and remains one of the most controversial vaccines. Data regarding influenza vaccine uptake and parental knowledge, attitude and practice towards vaccination in the Lebanese population is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the rate of vaccination refusal and potential associated factors among Lebanese parents of school-aged children, in general and with a focus on influenza vaccine.MethodsA parent questionnaire was distributed in randomly selected 2 public and 2 private schools from the greater Beirut area during the school year 2017–2018. Questionnaires covered knowledge, attitude (including themes of efficacy, hesitancy and trust), and practice of vaccination in general and influenza vaccine in particular.ResultsThe response rate was 76.5% (306/400). Overall, 29.4% parents reported vaccinating their children against influenza (62.2% in private and 37.7% in public schools). Younger age, paternal employment and higher household income were associated with higher vaccination rates (p = 0.01, 0.02 and <0.0001 respectively). Lack of vaccine recommendation by the physician was the most common reason for not taking it (47%). Parents who accepted influenza vaccination had higher scores in efficacy, hesitancy and trust and were more compliant with other vaccinations.ConclusionOne third of parents of school aged children in the greater Beirut area vaccinate their children against influenza. This rate is likely lower in rural remote areas. Physician’s recommendation is the single most important predictor of such vaccination. Future studies tackling physicians’ attitude and practice are needed to help improve influenza vaccination rates in the Lebanese population.

Highlights

The world is facing the resurgence of multiple outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases that endanger children’s health [1]
29.4% parents reported vaccinating their children against influenza (62.2% in private and 37.7% in public schools)
Paternal employment and higher household income were associated with higher vaccination rates (p = 0.01, 0.02 and

Summary

Introduction

The world is facing the resurgence of multiple outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases that endanger children’s health [1]. The most notorious example is the anti-measles movement founded in 1998 after a fraudulent paper linking the mumps measles rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism [3]. This fallacy remains a source of concern and anxiety to many parents to this date despite the discreditation of the original paper. Influenza vaccine is one of the vaccines that generate many controversies among parents, despite the fact that influenza infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in young children. The aim of this study was to assess the rate of vaccination refusal and potential associated factors among Lebanese parents of school-aged children, in general and with a focus on influenza vaccine

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion