KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES REGARDING VACCINATION AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN LAO PDR

摘要

Lao healthcare workers (HCW) are at risk of infection with vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) and onward transmission to patients because of low vaccination coverage and the low vaccine seroconversion rate in the general population of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of HCW in Lao PDR regarding vaccination in order to inform VPD control programs. We conducted a survey of 400 Lao HCW from 4 hospitals in Vientiane and 4 provincial hospitals in Lao PDR. Each subject was asked to complete a questionnaire about their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding vaccination. The results of the questionnaires were double-entered into EpiData and statistical analyses were done using STATA. Among the 400 study subjects, 74.7% were female. The mean age was 38 years. Forty point five percent of subjects were nurses, 12.7% were administrators, 11.5% were internists, and the rest were other health care personnel. Regarding knowledge about vaccinations, 95.5% of subjects knew vaccinations can prevent diseases, 88.7% knew hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine, 88.2% knew polio is vaccine preventable. However, there were some problems regarding the knowledge of subjects: 36.5% thought hepatitis C is vaccine preventable, 95.8% thought vaccines can cause epistaxis and 64.5% thought vaccines always give lifelong protection. Regarding attitudes, 97.0% of subjects felt HCW should be vaccinated, 86.2% believed vaccines were effective in preventing disease and 88.2% felt they would recommend vaccination to their patients. However, only 48.5% stated they intended to be vaccinated in the future. Regarding practices, 90.0% of subjects reported having previously received vaccination; of those who had not received vaccinations the most common reason given was fear of adverse reactions. Eighty point five percent of subjects stated they received vaccination information from their colleagues but only 43.7% from their professional studies. Factors associated with a good knowledge regarding vaccines were working in a clinical field and working for at least 10 years. Having a positive attitude about vaccination was associated with getting information about vaccination from a colleague. Working in a hospital providing free vaccinations and having a favorable attitude about vaccination were associated with practices regarding vaccination. Our findings show a mixed knowledge, fair attitudes and fair practices regarding vaccination. Vaccination promotion programs for HCW should include peers, education and cost when developing programs to improve vaccination coverage among HCW.