Original Research Article

Acceptance of Mandatory Influenza Vaccination among Saudi Primary Care Physicians

Abdullah Khalid Alburayk^1*, Faisal Eid Almutairi¹, Khalid Faris Alotaibi¹, Mohammed Ali Altokhais¹, Basil Khalid Alsahabi², Abdulaziz Khalid Alosaimi², Abuobieda Abdalrouf³, Mostafa Kofi³

¹Family and Community Medicine- Resident, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
²Medical Intern, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
³Preventive Medicine- Consultant, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

*Corresponding Author's Email: Dralburayk@gmail.com
Phone: 0591010188

Received: 20 April 2023  I  Accepted: 21 May 2023  I  Published: 26 May 2023  I  Article ID: MRJMMS23015
Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.
This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0.

Abstract

Acceptance of mandatory influenza vaccination requires an understanding of knowledge, and attitudes (KA). This study explored the KA and other co-variables influencing the acceptance of mandatory influenza vaccination among Saudi physicians working in primary care. A Cross-sectional study among Saudi physicians working at Wazarat primary health care center in Riyadh was conducted from Nov 2022 through Jan 2023. A convenience sample of 162 physicians was recruited and surveyed using a validated questionnaire. A total of 138 responded and completed the study. Univariate and multivariate analyses using SPSS version 22 were performed to assess associations between sociodemographic factors, KA, and acceptance of mandatory influenza vaccination. The response rate was 85%. While the age of 92% of the participants was < 36 years, 73.2% were males, and 34.1% were smokers. Only 67.4% of the participants accepted mandatory vaccination. Youngers, females, singles, postgraduates, and staff with no chronic disease had higher odds to accept the mandatory flu vaccine. On univariate analysis, physicians with better knowledge and good attitudes were more likely to accept the mandatory flu vaccination. On multivariate analysis, physicians with higher knowledge and attitude scores were more likely to accept the mandatory vaccination (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.17; (95%CI 1.05, 1.31)). Acceptance of mandatory vaccination was negatively correlated with a declination of flu vaccination (r=-0.237, P=0.005) and positively with actual vaccination (r= 0.203, P=0.017). High levels ofgood attitudes towards and knowledge of influenza vaccination were associated with a high level of acceptance of mandatory flu vaccination. This study paves the way for more targeted initiatives including risk communication approaches to be implemented to improve acceptance of mandatory influenza vaccination rates.

Keywords: Acceptance, Influenza, Mandatory, Physician, Vaccination