title: Influenza vaccine uptake, determinants, motivators, and barriers of the vaccine receipt among healthcare workers in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Influenza vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) is essential for patient safety, their own safety, and hospital operation. However, despite its strong recommendation, studies indicates a low rate of vaccine uptake.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess rates of, and factors affecting, influenza vaccine uptake among HCWs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was carried out during October 1stto 16th, 2015, among HCWs in King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was distributed to HCWs; this included questions on demographic characteristics, vaccine uptake, and knowledge, beliefs, attitude, and concern about influenza vaccine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 500 HCWs approached, 447 returned valid self-reported questionnaires with response rate 89.4%. Overall, 88.3% of the participants reported receiving vaccination during the 2014/15 season, higher than during the 2013/14 (61.2%) and 2012/13 (54.5%) seasons. Self-protection (81.5%) was the main reason for vaccination, whereas 73.4% of HCWs reported vaccination to protect patients. The main reasons for vaccination avoidance were misconception that the vaccine causes influenza (38.5%) and concern about vaccine efficacy (32.7%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the following were independently associated with vaccine receipt among HCWs: awareness of vaccine guidelines; intention to receive the vaccine next season; nurses and other HCWs compared to physicians; longer practice; and age >40 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A good uptake of influenza vaccine was achieved during the 2014/15 season following adoption of mandatory vaccination policy. Awareness programmes are needed to correct HCWs' misconceptions about the vaccine. Efforts need to focus especially on physicians, younger staff and new recruits.
authors.affiliation: General Directorate of Health Affairs, Hail Region, Saudi Arabia; King Abdulla Medical City, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: hassankasim@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Haridi
authors.affiliation: King Abdulla Medical City, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Salman
authors.affiliation: King Abdulla Medical City, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Basaif
authors.affiliation: General Directorate of Health Affairs, Hail Region, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Al-Skaibi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D000073887:Vaccination Coverage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: Barriers; Compliance; Healthcare workers; Influenza; Vaccine