Assessment of the Awareness of the Elderly Patient's Knowledge and Attitudes Among Influenza Vaccination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2022

Abstract

Background

Although influenza vaccination is recommended for people aged 50 and above in Saudi Arabia, and the vaccine is provided free of charge, the elderly influenza vaccination rate is still low, also influenza vaccination reduces rates of pneumonia, hospitalization and mortality, influenza vaccination uptake remains low in older patients. Globally, influenza epidemics cause 3–5 million cases of severe illness and result in a quarter million deaths each year. Despite Saudi Arabia tropical climate, influenza and a significant number of hospitalization's . Influenza vaccination has been shown to reduce influenza‑related hospitalizations and deaths. Patients with an influenza infection are at increased risk of severe illness and complications and have a higher mortality and morbidity rate. Despite the significant role of influenza vaccination in preventing and minimizing the serious complications of influenza infection in elderly patient's . Aim of the study: Assessment the awareness of the elderly patient's knowledge and attitudes among influenza vaccination in kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2023. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 participants from health care centers in Makkah Al-Mokarramah cit¹y. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used. It includes questions on socio demographic variables, knowledge, attitude, and vaccine response, during the August to September 2023. Results: shows the majority of participant (47.0%) have average of the knowledge towards influenza vaccination followed by (35.0%) of participant high while Range(2-8) and Mean ±SD(7.011±0.512), X² 38.22 P=0.001also the majority of participant (51.0%) have high of the attitudes towards influenza vaccination followed by (37.0%) of participant average while Range(10-18) and Mean ±SD(15.521±1.755), X² 70.26 P=0.001. Conclusion: The proportion of elderly people aged 50 and above who are willing to receive free influenza vaccine is high in Saudi Arabia . But the level of knowledge about influenza, vaccine and trust in society is low. The government should continue to improve the elderly’s awareness and trust in society through medical staff, family members, television and radio media, and guide the elderly to actively vaccinate against influenza. Effective publicity should be carried out through the above channels to guide the elderly to actively vaccinate against influenza, and a significant number of hospitalization's