title: Attitudes and perceptions among the pediatric health care providers toward influenza vaccination in Qatar: A cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Influenza is a communicable but preventable viral illness. Despite safe and effective vaccine availability, compliance rates are globally low. Neither local data on percentage of vaccination nor reasons for poor compliance among pediatric health providers are available in Qatar.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the percentage of vaccinated health care providers at pediatrics department and know their perception and attitudes toward influenza vaccinations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey, conducted on 300 pediatrics healthcare professionals from January through April 2013 at the main tertiary teaching hospital in Qatar, included details of demographics, frequency, perceptions and suggestive ways to improve the compliance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From among 230 respondents, 90 physicians and 133 allied health care professionals participated in this survey. Our study showed that percentages of participants who received flu vaccination were 67.7% and those who did not receive vaccination were 32.3%. Allied HCPs (69%) are more likely to get the vaccine compared to the physicians (66%). flu vaccination was approximately 5 times likely to be higher in the age group more than 40 years (P=0.002) compared to age less than or equals 40 years. Overall 70% healthcare providers were willing to recommend immunization to colleagues and patients compared to 30%, who were not willing. The reasons for noncompliance included fear of side effects, contracting the flu, vaccine safety and lack of awareness about the effectiveness. In order to promote immunization, participants believe that use of evidence-based statement, participating in an educational campaign, provides no cost/on site campaigns and leadership support is the most practical interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the present study, the vaccine coverage among pediatrics HCPs seems higher than previously reported rates. Despite their positive attitude toward influenza vaccination, low acceptance and misconceptions of seasonal influenza vaccination by pediatric HCPs may have a negative effect on the successful immunization delivery and children immunization rate. Our findings would be useful for designing and implementing educational programs targeted to improve vaccination coverage rates.
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: aalhammadi@hamad.qa.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alhammadi
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: Mohamedsob7y@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khalifa
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: Hatimmohamedahmed@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hatem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abdulrahman
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: ealmuslemani@hamad.qa.
authors.forename: Eman
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Almuslemani
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: Al7outhi@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alhothi
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: mjanahi@hamad.qa.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janahi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011361:Professional Competence; D011780:Qatar; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: Child immunization; Health care provider; Influenza; Perception; Qatar