EVALUATION OF PHYSICIANS' OPINIONS, ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS ABOUT ANTI-VACCINATION

Abstract

Objectives: Recently, anti-vaccination has been rapidly spreading both around the world and in our country. Healthcare workers, including Family Physicians, must have knowledge of anti-vaccination. This study aimed to assess views, attitudes and behaviors of residents in Family Medicine clinics toward this issue. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed between 15.06.2019 and 15.11.2019 and reached all Family Medicine clinics in Ankara. The study group consisted of 311 physicians. For data collection, participants received a questionnaire form questioning sociodemographic-occupational characteristics, knowledge of immunization and vaccines and views, attitudes and behaviors toward anti-vaccination. The value of p<0.05 was the cut-off point for statistical significance in all calculations. Results: The rate of those having encountered anti-vaccination was 59.50% (n=185). Residents of Contract Family Medicine (CFM) training, those who had been a resident for three years and more, and those with primary care experience had encountered more anti-vaccination cases. Of these participants, 85.40% (n=158) tried to convince individuals and 12.40% (n=23) respected their opinions. Of the participants, 94.90% (n=295) were against vaccine refusal and 82% (n=255) were against vaccine hesitancy while 0.30% (n=1) supported vaccine refusal. Of the participants, 23.20% (n=72) received training on anti-vaccination, and 59.70% (n=43) of those found the training received sufficient. Conclusion: The rate of participants supporting vaccine hesitancy or being unsure about it was considerable. Residents' training on anti-vaccination is insufficient. Therefore, training should be planned, necessary legal assessments should be performed, and health literacy should be increased to fight against anti-vaccination effectively and successfully.