Vaccination coverage of general practitioners: a cross-sectional study from Greece

2020
Objectives: Vaccination coverage of general practitioners (GPs) is important for their own and for their colleagues' and patients' protection and has been associated with the coverage of the general population. Our study aims to evaluate the vaccination practices of GPs in Crete, Greece. Study design: Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey. Methods: All practicing GPs in Crete (n = 294) were surveyed either by questionnaires or by phone call. We assessed the vaccination coverage and practices for influenza, measles, hepatitis B, and pertussis (booster Tdap dose) and the reasons for nonvaccination for influenza. Results: A total of 260 (88% response rate) GPs participated. Vaccination rates were 56% for influenza (current season), 26% for measles (two doses), 68% for hepatitis B (three doses), and 18% for the booster dose with Tdap. Negligence (47%) and perceived low risk (29.6%) were the most common reasons for nonvaccination for influenza. History of natural measles infection was reported by 169 (65%) GPs, but none of the interviewed 31 provided laboratory confirmation. GPs with self-reported natural measles infection were less vaccinated than their peers (10% vs 55%, P < 0.001). Finally, 23 of 130 (18%) GPs contacted by phone falsely reported vaccination with Tdap in their childhood, when Tdap was not yet available. Conclusion: This study revealed insufficient vaccination rates and misconceptions among GPs that should be the focus of future evidence-based interventions with potential to significantly improve vaccination coverage of GPs and indirectly of their patients. (c) 2019 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
PUBLIC HEALTH
页码:110-113|卷号:181
ISSN:0033-3506
收录类型
SSCI
发表日期
2020
学科领域
循证公共卫生
国家
希腊
语种
英语
DOI
10.1016/j.puhe.2019.12.012
其他关键词
HEALTH-CARE WORKERS; PREVENTABLE DISEASES; UNITED-STATES; PERTUSSIS; ATTITUDES
EISSN
1476-5616
被引频次(WOS)
1
被引更新日期
2022-01
来源机构
University of Crete University of Crete University of Crete
关键词
Vaccination General practitioners Influenza Measles Tdap Hepatitis B