Knowledge and Attitude towards Vaccination among Healthcare Workers: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study in a Southern Italian Region

• Main Authors: Giuseppe Di Martino, Pamela Di Giovanni, Arturo Di Girolamo, Piera Scampoli, Fabrizio Cedrone, Michela D’Addezio, Francesca Meo, Ferdinando Romano, Maria Bernadette Di Sciascio, Tommaso Staniscia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-05-01
• Series: Vaccines
• Subjects: vaccination; vaccine hesitancy; healthcare workers; Italy; vaccine; attitudes
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/8/2/248

<i>Background</i>: In Italy, the loss of confidence towards vaccination resulted in low vaccine coverage, also among healthcare workers (HCWs). Indeed, low vaccination coverage among HCWs can lead to dangerous outbreaks of disease, reduce productivity, and increase absenteeism. The aim of this study was to investigate the vaccine coverage and attitudes toward vaccination among HCWs. <i>Methods</i>: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs referred to all hospitals of the Local Health Authority 02 of Abruzzo Region, Italy. The survey was based on the questionnaire proposed by the H-ProImmune Project. Results: A total of 347 HCWs were enrolled in the study. Of these, 57.3% reported missing diphtheritis-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccination, 50.1% reported missing measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination, and 62.5% reported missing flu vaccination. Regarding attitudes, other healthcare professionals reported to believe more in natural immunization compared to vaccination (26.5%; <i>p</i> < 0.001), and they were worried about long-term effects of vaccination (10.2%; <i>p</i> = 0.044). <i>Conclusions</i>: This survey showed all vaccination coverage considered resulted below the 95% threshold. Training on vaccination and mandatory measures may be needed in order to achieve better coverage.