Risk Profile, Awareness, and Immunization Status of Family Medicine Assistants on the Agents That Can Be Transmitted from the Hospital in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Eighteen months of family medicine residency training is completed as in-hospital rotation. In this process, the increase in the possibility of encountering risky situations in terms of hospital acquired infections (HAI) reveals the importance of awareness and immunization status for family medicine residents in preventing HAI. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk status of family medicine residents about HAI, to investigate their immunization status, and to raise awareness on this issue. This study was conducted on 285 participants, including family medicine assistants who received residency training at Gülhane Training and Research Hospital between 01.08.2021 and 30.03.2022. In the 17-question survey made to the residents who accepted the study, demographic characteristics of the residents and some other information about the HAI were questioned. Afterwards, whether they encountered risky situations, periodic control examinations of the physicians, and their immunization status were questioned. Questions were asked in the form of a 5-point Likert-type table about the use of personal protective methods and their knowledge level about HAI. The answers given to the Likert type questions were scored as 1 worst and 5 as the best, and the total knowledge level score (minimum-maximum:15-75) was obtained. 180 (63.2%) of the participants were female, 196 (68.8%) were in the 24-29 age range. Of the participants, 99.3% (n=283) COVID-19, 96.5% (n=275) hepatitis B, 93.7% (n=267) tetanus, 39.6% (n=113) pneumococcus, 39.3% (n=112) influenza vaccine. The knowledge level score of female residents was higher (p=0.001). There was a significant difference between the age distribution of the participants and their knowledge level (p=0.033). According to this difference, the average knowledge level scores of the participants in the 24-29 age range were higher (p=0.047). It was determined that female residents HAI as a higher risk for family medicine residents (p=0.026). Participants who considered HAI as a risk for family medicine residents had a higher knowledge level (p=0.043). In our study, it was seen that HAI were evaluated as a risk by family medicine residents. On the other hand, the awareness and knowledge level of resident physicians on this issue was not considered sufficient. It was determined that some of the vaccines of the physicians were more careful with the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it was observed that they did not pay due attention to the periodic health examinations. In order to increase the awareness of family medicine residents about HAI, lessons on infections that may be risky can be planned in the training curriculum. By ensuring regular periodic controls, physicians can be followed up in terms of occupational health risks. In case of encountering risky situations, the use of personal protective methods is encouraged and regular inspection is recommended.