Influenza Vaccination Knowledge, Vaccination Status and Associated Factors Among Intern Doctors of a Medical School

Introduction: Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for healthcare workers as they are considered to be in the risk group for contracting influenza. Final year medical students (intern doctors) are a special group because they are healthcare providers and at the beginning of their professional lives. It was aimed to determine the knowledge of intern doctors at a state university about the seasonal influenza vaccine, their vaccination status and the associated factors, given that it will affect their behavior towards themselves and in consulting their patients in future years.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in March 2020 at a state university medical school. Intern doctors completed a standardized data collection form consisting of a total of 57 questions prepared for this study under supervision. The incidence of seasonal influenza vaccination in the last three years and factors associated with vaccination behavior were determined. Certain questions about seasonal influenza vaccination were asked.Results: Of the 254 students who participated in the study, 30 (11.8%) reported having received seasonal influenza vaccine in the last season and 86 (33.9%) in the last three years. Having received influenza vaccine in the last three years was 4.28 (95% CI= 1.53-11.90) times higher among those who had the intention to receive influenza vaccine if it was provided free of charge and on time compared to their counterparts. In the same model, excluding "intention", receiving education about influenza infection and vaccination (OR= 1.84; 95% CI= 1.03-3.27), and being the people surrounding who had received influenza vaccination (OR= 3.06; 95% CI= 1.60-5.84) were positively associated with the students' influenza vaccination status. In this model, those perceiving their own risk of influenza infection as "high" and/or "more severe than that in others" were 5.23 (95% CI= 1.11-24.45) times more likely to be vaccinated for influenza over the last three years. Responses to eight of the 12 statements questioning knowledge were more than 70% correct. At least one of every three participants approved that influenza vaccination might lead to influenza. This was the most prominent misinformation regarding influenza vaccination.Conclusion: Influenza vaccination is also low among intern doctors at the beginning of their professional life. It is recommended that education about influenza infection and influenza vaccine, influenza vaccination of surrounding people, especially leaders like faculty members, and the provision of free and timely influenza vaccine are recommended to increase influenza vaccination among intern doctors.