# Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Seasonal Influenza and Influenza Vaccination among Patients and Their Companions in North Palestine Hospitals

Authors: Issa Alawneh; Hamza Al-Sayeh; Mahdi Zaid; Maysa Alawneh; Hossam Al-Tatari
Journal: Advances in Public Health
 (2021)

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## Abstract

Background. Seasonal influenza is a common highly infectious disease that can affect the upper and lower airway in children and adults mainly in wintertime which is caused by many different influenza viruses and, in some cases, may cause serious complications such as pneumonia. We conducted this study to assess the knowledge and attitudes among patients and their companions in North Palestine hospitals regarding seasonal influenza and influenza vaccination and factors influencing the uptake of this vaccine so that we can identify gaps in their knowledge and give feedback to health authorities for future quality improvement projects by increasing awareness of its effectiveness and safety. Methods. A cross-sectional 17-item survey included randomly selected samples of 327 North Palestinian patients and their companions at North Palestine hospitals. Result. A total of 327 completed questionnaires were received with a response rate of 92%. Of these, 129 participants (39.4%) believed that influenza is the same as common cold. The majority of participants (85.3%) had heard of the influenza vaccine before. Although nearly half of them (53.6%) believed that the influenza vaccine is safe, only 112 (34.7%) of the participants considered vaccination an effective means in preventing serious influenza-related complications and only 89 (27.2%) participants were previously vaccinated. The main reasons for not being vaccinated included that vaccination is not necessary because flu is not a serious disease (67%), concerns about vaccine efficacy and its side effects (25.6%), fear of needles and injection (25.2%), and 17.8% of the participants believed that this vaccine is expensive. Conclusion. The uptake and knowledge of the influenza vaccine among Palestinians are low. Vaccinated participants in our survey showed a higher level of knowledge compared to nonvaccinated participants. Half of the participants believed in the safety of the vaccine and one-third of them believed in its efficacy in preventing flu illness and its complications. Extensive and sustained efforts are needed by public health programs to promote the flu vaccine among the public by increasing awareness of its effectiveness and safety.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Seasonal influenza is a common highly infectious disease that can affect the upper and lower airway in children and adults, mainly in wintertime, which is caused by many different influenza viruses and, in some cases, may cause serious complications such as pneumonia. Yearly, between 250000 and 500000 deaths of the world’s population are estimated due to influenza virus [1]. It is known that influenza virus has high mutation rates, and it has been shown that its annual epidemics is 5–15% of the global population, causing 290,000–650,000 deaths worldwide annually [2, 3]. Moreover, influenza is also associated with a significant economic burden on healthcare costs [4].Influenza vaccination is a safe and effective primary available tool for the prevention of influenza and reduction of economic and social burden. Indeed, seasonal influenza vaccination is the most effective strategy for preventing influenza virus infection and its complications [5]. However, despite the national recommendations that encourage this vaccination taken, the rates of vaccination uptake remain low [6, 7].Numerous national studies have proved the effectiveness of annual influenza vaccination in the reduction of mortality and morbidity, especially in high-risk groups such as the elderly, chronically ill patients, pregnant, and children [8, 9]. For example, in the USA, during the season of influenza between 2017 and 2018, vaccination prevented approximately 7 million influenza illnesses, 109,000 hospitalizations, and 8,000 deaths [10].The varying influenza vaccine coverage across countries corresponds to the level of knowledge and attitude toward seasonal influenza vaccines, both in the general population and in the at-risk groups: individuals with little knowledge and a negative attitude towards vaccination are usually not vaccinated [11–14].Previous studies showed that the influenza vaccine was usually significantly protective and that most clinicians and family physicians were supportive of vaccination and had good knowledge of vaccination indications [15–19].In Palestine, infectious diseases cause less than 10% of all deaths; respiratory diseases (ICD10 code: J00–J99.9) cause 70% of those deaths with a mortality rate of 17.0 per 100,000 population during 2016, being the sixth most common cause of death [20].Overall, influenza viruses were the most common cause of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) among hospitalized Palestinian patients in the West Bank. Children and the elderly were the most affected with RTIs. The elderly population (≥60 years old) had the highest rates [21].In Palestine, the influenza vaccine is not included in the Palestinian National Immunization program and not covered by insurance except for healthcare workers.No previously published studies are focused on receiving influenza vaccine and assessing Palestinian population knowledge about vaccine-related risks and vaccine safety.In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional study on a sample of the Palestinian population in North Palestine hospitals to assess public knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to influenza illness and influenza vaccination.


## 2. Methods

### 2.1. Study Design and Setting

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted during a period of 3 months from June to August 2018 of patients and their companions at North Palestine hospitals, both in the private and governmental sectors, involving five major cities in North Palestine including Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Qalqilia.Inclusions criteria: male or female, at least 18 years of age, married, and at least have one dependent childExclusion criteria: less than 18 years of age, single, and married but does not have children


### 2.2. The Questionnaire and Data Collection

To achieve the aim of our study, we used a structured 17-item questionnaire assessing the knowledge and attitude towards influenza illness and its vaccination consisting of three main parts.(1)
Demographic information: sex, age, and education level(2)
General knowledge about influenza illness (five questions)(3)
Knowledge and attitude toward the influenza vaccine (ten questions)We modified a questionnaire used in Pretoria, South Africa, assessing knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding seasonal influenza and influenza vaccination among diabetics in September 2015 [22]. It was reviewed and approved by the An-Najah National University Institution Review Board (IRB). Then, the permissions to conduct the research at the Palestinian MOH-related facilities were obtained from Palestinian MOH as well as from the private sectors visited prior to the study start date.Written informed consent was taken from all participants before they completed the questionnaire. We used a convenient sampling method in this study.All collected data were treated with confidentiality and would be used for research purposes only.


### 2.3. Statistical Analysis

Answers of the population responded were translated into an Excel sheet and then whether the respondents strongly agreed or just agree with a good practice; the answers were considered true, as if he strongly disagrees or just disagree with a wrong practice.We considered any question with returned correct answers of less than 90% as a “Gap” in participant knowledge.


## 2.1. Study Design and Setting

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted during a period of 3 months from June to August 2018 of patients and their companions at North Palestine hospitals, both in the private and governmental sectors, involving five major cities in North Palestine including Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Qalqilia.Inclusions criteria: male or female, at least 18 years of age, married, and at least have one dependent childExclusion criteria: less than 18 years of age, single, and married but does not have children


## 2.2. The Questionnaire and Data Collection

To achieve the aim of our study, we used a structured 17-item questionnaire assessing the knowledge and attitude towards influenza illness and its vaccination consisting of three main parts.(1)
Demographic information: sex, age, and education level(2)
General knowledge about influenza illness (five questions)(3)
Knowledge and attitude toward the influenza vaccine (ten questions)We modified a questionnaire used in Pretoria, South Africa, assessing knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding seasonal influenza and influenza vaccination among diabetics in September 2015 [22]. It was reviewed and approved by the An-Najah National University Institution Review Board (IRB). Then, the permissions to conduct the research at the Palestinian MOH-related facilities were obtained from Palestinian MOH as well as from the private sectors visited prior to the study start date.Written informed consent was taken from all participants before they completed the questionnaire. We used a convenient sampling method in this study.All collected data were treated with confidentiality and would be used for research purposes only.


## 2.3. Statistical Analysis

Answers of the population responded were translated into an Excel sheet and then whether the respondents strongly agreed or just agree with a good practice; the answers were considered true, as if he strongly disagrees or just disagree with a wrong practice.We considered any question with returned correct answers of less than 90% as a “Gap” in participant knowledge.


## 3. Results

A total number of 327 patients and their companions participated in the study with a response rate of 92.0% (301/327). Most of the participants (167/327, 51.1%) were between 20–30 years; out of them, 56% were females (Table1).Table1
Demographic characters of the study sample (n = 327).
DemographicsPercentages (%)GenderMale56Female44Age (yr)20–3051.131–4026.641–5012.2>5010.1Level of educationPrimary4.3Secondary22.3University and higher73.4When asked about influenza, the majority believed that flu was caused by the virus (289/327, 88.4%), while 129 participants (39.4%) still believed that it is the same as common cold.Regarding the major symptoms of influenza, the most frequent choices were muscle ache (263/327, 80.4%), fever (256/327, 78.3%), runny nose (252/327, 77.1%), headache (215/327, 65.7%), and cough (198/327, 60.6%) (Table2).Table 2
Surveyed questions and responses to each question.
ResponsesAgree (%)Disagree (%)Not sure (%)Seasonal influenzaFlu is caused by a virus88.42.110.4Flu is the same as common cold39.446.214.4Flu can spread from one person to the other94.542.1Flu occurs at a certain period of the year50.8445.2SymptomsPercentageFever78.3Vomiting19.3Headache65.7Diarrhea16.8Muscle ache80.4Runny nose77.1Cough60.6Seasonal flu vaccinePercentageKnowledgeHave you ever heard of a vaccine to prevent flu before?(i) Yes85.3(ii) No14.7Is the flu vaccine safe?(i) Yes53.6(ii) No16(iii) Not sure30.4Can you still get the flu after flu vaccine?(i) Yes34.7(ii) No36.2(iii) Not sure29.4How is the vaccine given?(i) Injection80.6(ii) Nasal spray4.3(iii) Mouth drops3.1(iv)Not sure14.2Does the vaccine have side effects?(i) Yes46.5(ii) No16.3(iii) Not sure37.2Side effects:(i) Headache54.8(ii) Fever73.4(iii) Swelling at the injection site62.1(iv) Vomiting and fatigue36.2For how long can the vaccine protect?(i) One flu season65(ii) Two flu seasons4.3(iii) Three more seasons5.5(iv) Not sure34.3When is the appropriate time to take the flu vaccine?(i) Before the flu season starts74.2(ii) During the flu season7.7(iii) Immediately after the flu season0.6(iv) Not sure17.8AttitudesHave you received a flu vaccine before?(i) Yes27.2(ii) No72.8What is the reason(s) for not taking a flu vaccine?(i) It is not necessary as flu is just a minor illness67(ii) It is expensive17.8(iii) It has serious side effects25.6(iv) Fears of needles and injection25.2Out of the 85.3% (279/327) of participants who had heard of the influenza vaccine previously to prevent flu, only 171/327, 53.6%, indicated that the vaccine is safe and 83.8% (140/167), although 36.2% (117/327) of the participants indicated that one can still develop flu despite being vaccinated.Nearly half of the participants (151/327, 46.5%) reported known side effects of the vaccine, including fever (73.4%), headache (54.8%), swelling at the injection site (62.1%), and vomiting with fatigue (36.2%). Nearly half of the participants (183/327, 56%) indicated that it can only protect for one flu season and that 74.2% of them know that the appropriate time to take the vaccine is before the flu season starts (242/327). About 69.9% and 53.4% had good knowledge about seasonal flu and vaccine, respectively (Tables3 and 4).Table 3
Seasonal flu knowledge scores of participants (n = 327).
Seasonal flu knowledge scoreParticipants (%)Good seasonal flu knowledge69.9Poor seasonal flu knowledge30.1Table 4
Vaccine knowledge scores of participants (n = 327).
Flu vaccine knowledge scoreParticipants (%)Good vaccine knowledge53.4Poor vaccine knowledge46.6When asked about their previous influenza vaccination practice, only 27.2% (89/327) had previously been vaccinated at one point in the time of their lives. A majority of the participants had never received influenza vaccination before (238/327, 72.8%), and the main reasons given by them included that vaccination is not necessary because flu is just a minor illness (67%), %), concerns about vaccine efficacy and its side effects (25.6%), fear of needles and injection (25.2%), and 17.8% of the participants believed that this vaccine is expensive.


## 4. Discussion

This study is the first of its kind in Palestine to investigate and assess the knowledge and attitudes of populations regarding influenza illness and its vaccines.In this study, although approximately half of participants had good knowledge scores about seasonal flu and its vaccine, only one-third of them had taken the influenza vaccine previously and nearly half of them believed that the vaccine may have many side effects.In keeping with that, the average cost of influenza vaccine in Palestine is near 13 US dollars, and the cost is not covered by health insurance. These significant fears of side effects, false belief about vaccine safety, limited availability and coverage of vaccination services, and even poor knowledge of the vaccine’s benefits ultimately led to lower vaccination rates among the general population in North Palestine. These findings highlight the need to increase efforts and awareness in the community regarding influenza illness and vaccination to reduce the economic and social burden.The utilitarian value of vaccination in enhancing public health to assure the population of the efficacy and safety of the vaccine by using media such as newspapers, posters, brochures, and mobile messages with adequate education received from medical staff proved to be the most effective tools for improving influenza vaccination practices in North Palestine and can greatly simplify this process [23]. Moreover, many studies advised that mandatory freely available vaccination could be helpful in limiting disease burden [24, 25].


## 5. Conclusions

Overall, the uptake and knowledge of the influenza vaccine among Palestinians are low. Vaccinated participants in our survey showed a higher level of knowledge compared to nonvaccinated participants. Half of the participants believed in the safety of the vaccine, and one-third of them believed in its efficacy in preventing flu illness as well as its known complications. Extensive and sustained efforts are needed by public health programs to promote the flu vaccine among the public by increasing awareness of its effectiveness and safety.


### 5.1. Limitations

This study has some limitations. Specifically, the study occurred in North Palestine hospitals and may not be generalizable to other regions of Palestine. Additionally, the study sample size was small which was drawn from a selected population in hospitals, so a significant selection bias cannot, therefore, be ruled out.


## 5.1. Limitations

This study has some limitations. Specifically, the study occurred in North Palestine hospitals and may not be generalizable to other regions of Palestine. Additionally, the study sample size was small which was drawn from a selected population in hospitals, so a significant selection bias cannot, therefore, be ruled out.



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