Medical Students’ and Doctors’ Knowledge about Influenza Disease and its Vaccine

Abstract

Background: Influenza is a common disease affecting people of all age groups. Generally considered to be a mild disease, it can however, cause devastating effects in the very young, elderly and immunocompromised people. Objective: To assess and compare the knowledge of influenza and its vaccine amongst medical students and practicing physicians. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted on medical students and doctors at a tertiary care hospital. The participants were asked to fill out a structured questionnaire regarding knowledge and beliefs about influenza disease and its vaccine. Information thus obtained was tabulated and analysed and the two groups compared. Knowledge scores were calculated and the respondents were considered to have adequate knowledge if they scored> 60% on the knowledge part of the questionnaire. Results: There were 179 participants in the study, of which 79 were medical students and 100 were practicing doctors. Majority of the respondents in both the groups knew the causative agent, mode of transmission and preventative measures of influenza. However, they lacked knowledge about complications of influenza. Respondents’ knowledge was significantly deficient regarding many aspects of the influenza vaccine. Analysis of the knowledge scores revealed that only 49% of the physicians and 31.6% of the medical students had adequate knowledge about influenza disease and its vaccine. Conclusion: Medical students and practicing physicians lack adequate knowledge about influenza and its vaccine. More emphasis needs to be placed on educating health care professionals about influenza and the importance of its vaccination program. Key Words: Influenza, Vaccination, Preventive Measures.