TITLE:
A Double-Sided View to Adult Vaccination: The Opinions and Attitudes of Patients and Health Workers
AUTHORS:
Raziye Şule Gümüştakım, Pınar Bilgili, Murat Çevik, Duygu Ayhan Başer, Adem Doğaner, Selda Handan Karahan Saper, Zuhal Kanevetci, Ergül Özçelebi
KEYWORDS:
Adult Vaccination, Health Workers, Patients
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.10 No.12,
December
13,
2018
ABSTRACT: Objective: Although there are adult vaccination schemes in our country, there are serious deficiencies in the way that doctors direct the patients to this vaccination, but also patients have to make and demand these vaccinations. The aim of our study is to identify the shortcomings in this area and draw a roadmap for what arrangements should be made in terms of physicians and patients in order to increase adult immunization rates in primary care. Method: We conducted a two-phase, multicentered, descriptive clinical trial between October and December 2017. The first phase of the trial was carried out with patients from 3 Family Health Centers in Antalya, Istanbul and Osmaniye. Patients to be interviewed were selected voluntarily among Family Health Center’s applicants. The second phase of the trial was carried out with health workers, who were participated to trial from 26 different provinces of Turkey. In the process, a questionnaire of 19 questions was applied to primary health care workers by the internet. Results: 490 patients were included in the study. There was a significant difference between gender, age, education level and guideline follow-up and vaccination status of patients [p Conclusion: As a result of the studies including our study about adult vaccination, only 10% - 20% of the targeted groups in adults can be vaccinated. However, just like in childhood during adulthood, vaccinations protect individuals from diseases and provide economic benefits. Firstly, the knowledge level of physicians on adult immunization should be updated with in-service trainings, they should first be convinced to vaccinate because they are in risk group and then they should be recommended vaccination to patient to increase the vaccination rates.