Abstract
Aim of study: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice of primary care physicians offering primary health care (PHC), toward adult vaccination and their own vaccination coverage as well as to identify reasons for low vaccination coverage.Methodology: A cross-sectional study design, this study included 103 PHC physicians in Abha City. A self-administered questionnaire was designed by the researcher for data collection.Results: About three fourths of PHC physicians (73%) had poor knowledge, while 21% had moderate knowledge and only 6% had good knowledge, while 41% had positive attitude toward adult vaccination, 49% had neutral attitude while 10% had negative attitude. Most PHC physicians (70%) had poor practice regarding adult vaccination, while 20% had moderate practice and 10% had good practice. PHC physicians’ knowledge was significantly better among older and non-Saudi physicians (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). PHC physicians’ positive attitude toward adult vaccination was significantly higher among female participants (p=0.013), among Non-Saudi physicians (p=0.004) and among those with experience in primary health care more than 10 years (p=0.044). PHC physicians’ good practice regarding adult vaccination was significantly higher among older physicians and among those with experience in primary health care more than 10 years (p=0.004). The most frequently stated reasons for low adult vaccination coverage were “Lack of coordinated immunization programs for adults” (63.1%), “Physicians do not inform patients about adult vaccination because they do not have enough time” (61.2%) and “Lack of availability of up-to-date records and recording systems” (55.3%).Conclusions: Knowledge of PHC physicians in Abha City regarding adult vaccination is suboptimal. Most of them do not have negative attitude toward adult vaccination. Their practice regarding adult vaccination is mostly poor. There are several obstacles against implementing vaccination of adults.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(3) 2018 p.369-381
Highlights
Adult vaccination has gained as much attention as childhood vaccination nationwide and worldwide in recent years
Results of this study showed the variability in qualifications and positions among participant primary health care physicians
Results of the present study revealed that, regarding primary health care physicians’ knowledge about adult vaccination, only 6% had good knowledge, 21% had moderate knowledge, while 73% had poor knowledge
Summary
Adult vaccination has gained as much attention as childhood vaccination nationwide and worldwide in recent years. Table (3) shows that regarding vaccines administered to adult patients with immune deficiency, participants most correct responses were related to influenza vaccine 93(90.3%), followed by pneumococcus 73(70.9%), hepatitis B 46(44.7%) and meningococcus 45(43.7%). Their correct responses were least regarding tetanus 27(26.2%) and hepatitis A 12(11.7%). Physicians’ positive attitude toward adult vaccination was significantly higher among female participants, among non-Saudi physicians, among registrars and senior registrars and among those with experience in primary health care more than 10 years. Physicians’ good practice regarding adult vaccination was significantly higher among participants older than 40 years, among MBBS qualified physicians, and among those with experience in primary health care more than 10 years.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
