Abstract
Background: Anesthesia technicians work in places with a high risk of infectious diseases. Vaccination is one of the most essential methods that protect society and healthcare workers against infectious diseases. This study aims to determine anesthesia technicians' knowledge, behavior, attitude, and vaccine hesitancy.
Methods: A cross-sectional web-based study was conducted between October 2021 and February 2022 at the Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Turkiye. A semi-structured and self-reported online survey was recruited to collect data from the Turkish anesthesia technicians’ community. Data of 1600 participants have undergone descriptive and univariate analyses to evaluate the differences in mean scores on knowledge, attitudes, and vaccine hesitancy.
Results: The mean age of respondents was 24 years (±6.15). More than two-thirds (79.2%) were females, single (84.9%), aged less than 30 years (88.4%), and unemployed (61.1%); however, 12.4% had chronic diseases. The mean knowledge, attitude, and vaccine hesitancy score were 13.24± 3.22 (range: 0-21), 11.19 ± 3.19 (range: 0-15), and 28.67± 6.64, range: 12–60), respectively. Most respondents had information (1458, 91.1%) about COVID-19 vaccines, and 1247(77.9%) had been vaccinated. However, 240 (16.3%) did not receive vaccines at all compared to 59 (3.7%) who completed the thirteen recommended vaccines in Turkiye. The mean of vaccine hesitancy was significantly higher among females (P=0.001), unemployed (P=0.007), residents in Southeast Anatolia (P=0.001), and those who did not use medication continuously (P=0.016). However, participants aged 40 years and above (P=0.013) showed the lowest mean of vaccine hesitancy than the other age groups.
Conclusion: Appropriate training and guidance might increase the vaccination information and enhance the vaccination rates among anesthesia technicians.
Downloads
References
- Adult Immunization Guide. Turkish Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialization Association (EKMUD), Adult Immunization Guide Working Group. 2019. Available from: https://www.ekmud.org.tr/rehberler/1-ekmud-rehberleri (Accessed on 10th May 2021).
- Türk A, Ak B, Ak R. Economic and social effects of pandemics in the historical process (Tarihsel Süreçte Yaşanan Pandemilerin Ekonomik ve Sosyal Etkileri). Gaziantep University Journal of Social Sciences 19 (COVID-19 Special Issue):612–32.2020.doi: 10.21547/jss.766717.
- Dubé E, Laberge C, Guay M, Bramadat P, Roy R, Julie A. Bettinger JA. Vaccine hesitancy. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics2013; 9:(8): 1763-1773. doi: 10.4161/hv.24657.
- Galanakis E, Jansen A, Lopalco PL, Giesecke J. Ethics of mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers. Euro Surveill. 2013;18(45);20627
- T.C. Ministry of Health, Vaccine Portal. Available from: https://asi.saglik.gov.tr. (Accessed on 26th March 2022).
- Kartal ED. Prophylaxis in health personnel. Symposium Series. February 2008; 61: 215-222.
- T.C. Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Management Services, Personnel Distribution Chart (PDC) Updated: August 24, 2021, https://yhgm.saglik.gov.tr/TR-42988/personel-dagilim-cetveli-pdc.html (Access Date: 07.11.2021)
- Arghittu A, Dettori M, Azara A, Gentili D, Serra A, Contu B, Castiglia P. Flu vaccination attitudes, behaviours, and knowledge among health workers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 May 3;17(9):3185. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17093185.
- Tian J, Tan F, Lai L, Deng Y, Chi X, Geng H, Zhu Q. Anesthesiologists' acquisition of hepatitis B virus infection: Risk and prevention. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Jul;98(29): e16416. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000016416.
- Goins WP, Schaffner W, Edwards KM, Talbot TR. Healthcare workers' knowledge and attitudes about pertussis and pertussis vaccination. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2007 Nov;28(11):1284-9. doi: 10.1086/521654.
- Sample Size Calculator by Raosoft, Inc.; 2021. Available from: http://www.raosoft.com/samplesize.html. [Accessed on 17 September 2021].
- Kılınçarslan, MG, Sarıgül B, Toraman Ç, Şahin EM. Development of valid and reliable scale of vaccine hesitancy in Turkish language. Konuralp Medical Journal. 2020;12(3):420-429. doi: 10.18521/ktd.693711.
- Berg TT, Wicker S. Knowledge, attitude and behavior towards vaccinations among nursing- and health care students in Hesse. An observational study. GMS J Med Educ. 2021 Nov 15;38(7):Doc115. doi: 10.3205/zma001511.
- Oğuzöncül AF, Tuncer-Kara K, Deveci SE. Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of primary healthcare physicians about vaccines. Klimik Derg. 2021; 34(2): 123-8. doi:10.36519/kd.2021.3300.
- Al-Sanafi M, Sallam M. Psychological Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance among Healthcare Workers in Kuwait: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the 5C and Vaccine Conspiracy Beliefs Scales. Vaccines. 2021; 9(7):701. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9070701
- Zintel S, Flock C, Arbogast AL, Forster A, von Wagner C, Sieverding M. Gender differences in the intention to vaccinate against COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Z Gesundh Wiss. 2022 Jan 7:1-25. doi: 10.1007/s10389-021-01677-w.
- Al-Hanawi MK, Alshareef N, El-Sokkary RH. Willingness to Receive COVID-19 Vaccination among Older Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Community-Based Survey. Vaccines (Basel). 2021 Oct 31;9(11):1257. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9111257.
- Redondo Margüello E, Trilla A, Munguira ILB, López-Herce AJ, Cotarelo Suárez M. Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and barriers of healthcare professionals and adults ≥ 65 years about vaccine-preventable diseases in Spain: the ADult Vaccination drIverS and barriErs (ADVISE) study. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2022 Dec 31;18(1):2025007. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2021.2025007.
- Medetalibeyoglu A, Ezirmik E, Senkal N, Bayrakdar S, Aktar I, Akas R, et al. Patient characteristics and risk factors for mortality in 504 patient characteristics and risk factors for mortality in 504 hospitalized patients due to COVID-19. J Ist Faculty Med 2022;85(1):1-8. doi: 10.26650/IUITFD.932128.
- Han-Yekdeş D, Altunok A, Eskiocak M, Marangoz B. Immunization attitudes of physicians at a university hospital. Klimik Derg. 2020; 33(3): 255-9. doi:10.5152/kd.2020.52
- Acikgoz A, Yoruk S, Kissal A, Kadicesme SY, Catal E, Kamaci G, et al. Healthcare students’ vaccination status, knowledge, and protective behaviors regarding hepatitis B: a cross-sectional study in Turkey, Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics 2021; 17(11): 4595-4602, doi: 10.1080/21645515.2021.1973321.
- Dayyab FM, Iliyasu G, Ahmad BG, Bako AT, Ngamariju SS, Habib AG. Hepatitis B vaccine knowledge and self-reported vaccination status among healthcare workers in a conflict region in northeastern Nigeria. Ther Adv Vaccines Immunother. 2020 Jan 16; 8:2515135519900743. doi: 10.1177/2515135519900743.
- Pelullo CP, Della Polla G, Napolitano F, Di Giuseppe G, Angelillo IF. Healthcare Workers' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about Vaccinations: A Cross-Sectional Study in Italy. Vaccines (Basel). 2020 Mar 26;8(2):148. doi: 10.3390/vaccines8020148.
- Hajure M, Tariku M, Bekele F, Abdu Z, Dule A, Mohammedhussein M, Tsegaye T. Attitude Towards COVID-19 Vaccination Among Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review. Infect Drug Resist. 2021 Sep 21; 14:3883-3897. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S332792.
- Scatigna M, Fabiani L, Micolucci G, Santilli F, Mormile P, Giuliani AR. Attitudinal variables and a possible mediating mechanism for vaccination practice in health care workers of a local hospital in L'Aquila (Italy). Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2017 Jan 2;13(1):198-205. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1225638.
- Graitcer SB, Kim D, Lindley M. Comprehensive efforts to increase healthcare personnel immunization. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2014;10(9):2625-6. doi: 10.4161/hv.36090.
- İkiışık H, Sezerol MA, Taşçı Y, Maral I. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and related factors among primary healthcare workers in a district of Istanbul: a cross-sectional study from Turkey. Fam Med Community Health. 2022 Apr;10(2):e001430. doi: 10.1136/fmch-2021-001430.
- Kaya L, Aydın-Kartal Y. Hesitancy towards a COVID-19 vaccine among midwives in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional web-based survey. European Journal of Midwifery. 2022;6(January):1-8. doi:10.18332/ejm/143874.
- Karamüftüoğlu N, Korkmaz Öner FS, Uğraş Dikmen A, Özkan S. Prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among dentists in Turkey. Archives of Current Medical Research2022; 3 (2): 86-96.
- El-Sanafi M, Sallam M. Psychological Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance among Healthcare Workers in Kuwait: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the 5C and Vaccine Conspiracy Beliefs Scales. Vaccines (Basel). 2021 Jun 25;9(7):701. doi:10.3390/vaccines9070701.
- Yilmaz S, Çolak FÜ, Yilmaz E, Ak R, Hökenek NM, Altıntaş MM. Vaccine Hesitancy of Health-Care Workers: Another Challenge in the Fight Against COVID-19 in Istanbul. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. Cambridge University Press; 2022;16(3):1134–40. doi:10.1017/dmp.2021.257.
