BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis (HD) patients have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality due to infections. Despite the positive effect of vaccinations, the implementation of this method of prophylaxis is low. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices of flu vaccination among HD patients of two different dialysis centers. METHODS: A total of 193 patients (mean age 63.6 years), who voluntarily agreed to participate in an anonymous survey related to influenza vaccination, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: A total of 45% of patients declared that they took regular, annual flu vaccination. In this group, 87.4% believed that vaccinations were effective. This opinion strongly correlated with the frequency of regular vaccinations (r = 0.56, p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that this opinion is an independent predictor of regular vaccinations with adjusted OR 9.86 (95% CI 4.36, 22.33). Groups of patients who had been irregularly or never vaccinated reject vaccinations for the following reasons: fear of adverse events-29.2%, conviction that vaccination was ineffective-26.4%, and lack of information about vaccination-22.6%. CONCLUSION: Knowledge among HD patients about the benefits of vaccinations is poor. Therefore, educational activities are required. Active vaccination promotion and education of patients rejecting this method of prevention play a key role in improving standards of care for HD patients.
BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis (HD) patients have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality due to infections. Despite the positive effect of vaccinations, the implementation of this method of prophylaxis is low. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices of flu vaccination among HDpatients of two different dialysis centers. METHODS: A total of 193 patients (mean age 63.6 years), who voluntarily agreed to participate in an anonymous survey related to influenza vaccination, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: A total of 45% of patients declared that they took regular, annual flu vaccination. In this group, 87.4% believed that vaccinations were effective. This opinion strongly correlated with the frequency of regular vaccinations (r = 0.56, p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that this opinion is an independent predictor of regular vaccinations with adjusted OR 9.86 (95% CI 4.36, 22.33). Groups of patients who had been irregularly or never vaccinated reject vaccinations for the following reasons: fear of adverse events-29.2%, conviction that vaccination was ineffective-26.4%, and lack of information about vaccination-22.6%. CONCLUSION: Knowledge among HDpatients about the benefits of vaccinations is poor. Therefore, educational activities are required. Active vaccination promotion and education of patients rejecting this method of prevention play a key role in improving standards of care for HDpatients.
Authors: Kyu Rae Lee; Jeong Hun Bae; In Cheol Hwang; Kyoung Kon Kim; Heuy Sun Suh; Ki Dong Ko Journal: Neuroepidemiology Date: 2017-06-21 Impact factor: 3.282
Authors: Anthony E Fiore; David K Shay; Penina Haber; John K Iskander; Timothy M Uyeki; Gina Mootrey; Joseph S Bresee; Nancy J Cox Journal: MMWR Recomm Rep Date: 2007-07-13