Evaluation of Attitudes and Knowledge of Influenza Diagnosis, Treatment and Vaccination Among Pediatric Residents

Abstract

Objective: Influenza virus is common in children, especially in winter, causing hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit, or even death. There are few studies on the attitudes or knowledge of influenza diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination among pediatricians. This study was planned to determine pediatric residents' attitudes and behaviors about recognizing the influenza virus, making treatment decisions, prophylaxis, and immunization. Material and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed from 31 July-1 December 2019 among pediatric residents working in six different hospitals in the Aegean Region by an online survey. Twenty-seven questions were asked regarding articipant's demographic characteristics, recognition of the influenza symptoms, treatment, prophylaxis, and immunization. Results: Two hundred and four (58.5%) of 349 pediatric residents were included in the study, who answered the questionnaire. Among the participants, 72.5% were females, and their mean age was 27.9 +/- 2.1 years, and 59.3% worked as a pediatric residents for less than two years. When the symptoms of influenza were evaluated, the most known symptoms were fever (94.1%), myalgia (81.9%), tiredness (77.0%), headache (70.1%), and cough (68.6%). When oseltamivir treatment indications were questioned, most pediatric residents (82.2%) answered the questions. It was observed that 21.1% of the pediatric residents had the flu vaccine in the current season. According to the state of having chronic diseases, the rate of vaccination in participants was not statistically significant (p= 0.136). Conclusion: In this study, it was determined that pediatric residents' knowledge about influenza awareness, treatment, and immunization was insufficient. It may be beneficial to train pediatric residents about the influenza virus and vaccine before each influenza season.