Abstract
Objective: To determine the intention of health professionals, doctors and nurses, concerning whether or not to be vaccinated against A/H1N1 influenza virus, and their perception of the severity of this pandemic compared with seasonal flu.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out based on an questionnaire e-mailed to health professionals in public healthcare centres in Vitoria between 6 and 16 November 2009; the percentage of respondents who wanted to be vaccinated and who perceived the pandemic flu to carry a high risk of death were calculated.
Results: A total of 115 people completed the questionnaire of whom 61.7% (n=71) were doctors and 38.3% (n=44) were nurses. Of these, 33.3% (n=23) of doctors and 13.6% (n=6) of nurses intended to be vaccinated (p=0.019). Even among those who considered themselves to be at a high risk, 70.6% (n=48) of doctors and 31.7% (n=13) of nurses participating in the study (p=0.001) planned to have the vaccination.
Conclusions: Most health professionals, and in particular nurses, had no intention to be vaccinated against A/H1N1 influenza virus at the beginning of the vaccination campaign.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all the participants, the management of the Araba University Hospital and of the Araba Health region, and our IT services for their collaboration in this research.
Dear Colleagues,
The Research Unit of Txagorritxu Hospital and Research Commission for the Health Region of Araba are studying views concerning A/H1N1 influenza. We will be most grateful if you take part.
The information collected will remain anonymous. You can return the completed questionnaire by e-mail (to [email protected]) or through the internal mail, addressing it to the secretary of the Txagorritxu Hospital's Research Unit.
QUESTIONNAIRE
a) General questions
1. Sex
1. Woman
2. Man
2. Year of birth
3. Profession
1. Doctor
2. Nurse
3. Other
4. Civil status
1. Single
2. Married/With partner
5. What is your employment status?
1. Permanent contract
2. Temporary contract
3. Casual contract
6. Have you ever received a seasonal flu jab?
1. Yes
2. No
7. What has been your principal source of information on A(H1N1) flu?
1. Healthcare colleagues
2. The media
3. Other
b) Hypothetical situations
8. If it were free, would you have the A(H1N1) flu jab?
1. Yes
2. No
9. And would have the jab if it cost €10?
1. Yes
2. No
10. Do you know which are the at-risk groups with respect to A(H1N1) flu?
1. Yes
2. No
11. If you were in one of the at-risk groups, would you be vaccinated?
1. Yes
2. No
12. Do you think that A(H1N1) flu is spread by coughs and sneezes?
1. Yes
2. No
13. Do you think that A(H1N1) flu can be spread by physical contact (e.g., shaking hands)?
1. Yes
2. No
14. Do you think that A(H1N1) flu can be spread by contact with contaminated surfaces (e.g., by touching a door handle)?
1. Yes
2. No
c) Your perception of the severity of the A(H1N1) flu
15. What percentage of the general population do you think will get A(H1N1) flu?
1. <1%
2. 1-5%
3. >5%
16. Do you think that A(H1N1) flu could have severe and irreversible effects on the health of the general population?
1. Yes
2. No
17. How many deaths do you think the A(H1N1) flu will cause in our region (Vitoria-Gasteiz) in 2009?
1. None
2. 1-10
3. 11-50
4. >50
18. Do you think that some people have had A(H1N1) flu and have not realised?
1. Yes
2. No
19. Do you think that this illness will affect most of the population in our region (Vitoria-Gasteiz)?
1. Yes
2. No
d) Perception of risk
20. Do you think that you are at high risk of getting A(H1N1) flu?
1. Yes
2. No
21. Do you think that there is a high risk that someone in your family will get A(H1N1) flu?
1. Yes
2. No
22. Do you think that there is a high risk that members of the general population will get A(H1N1) flu?
1. Yes
2. No
e) Comparison of A(H1N1) flu with seasonal flu
23. How many deaths do you think A(H1N1) flu will cause compared to normal (seasonal) flu? That is, we are asking you to rate how the mortality associated with A(H1N1) flu compares to that of seasonal flu.
1. Many fewer
2. Slightly fewer
3. The same
4. Slightly more
5. Many more
24. How many people do you think will be infected compared to normal (seasonal) flu? (That is, how do you think the rate of infection will compare between A(H1N1) flu and seasonal flu?)
1. Many fewer
2. Slightly fewer
3. The same
4. Slightly more
5. Many more
25. How much harm do you think the A(H1N1) flu will cause compared to seasonal flu? (What level of damage will be caused to the body by A(H1N1) flu in relation to seasonal flu?)
1. Much less
2. Slightly less
3. The same
4. Slightly more
5. Much more
26. Do you have any objections to receiving the A(H1N1) flu vaccine?
1. Yes
2. No
27. Do you think that the vaccine is effective at preventing A(H1N1) flu?
1. Yes
2. No
28. Do you think that there has been sufficient research into the vaccine? (In your opinion, have there been enough studies/clinical trials/research to demonstrate the effectiveness of the vaccine?)
1. Yes
2. No
THANK-YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP