EVALUATION OF IMMUNIZATION STATUS OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND FACTORS AFFECTING IMMUNIZATION IN SULEYMAN DEMIREL UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND TRAINING HOSPITAL.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunization status of healthcare workers in Suleyman Demirel University Research and Training Hospital and factors affecting immunization. Material and Method This research, planned as a cross-sectional and analytical type, was carried out between February 2020 and July 2020. The population for the research comprised healthcare workers at Suleyman Demirel University Research and Training Hospital (1827 people). The sample size was calculated as 397 for an unknown prevalence of 50%, 95% confidence level, absolute precision of 5% and a design effect of 1.25. Dependent variables were immunization status for influenza, hepatitis B, MMR, tetanus, varicella, and hepatitis A vaccines. Independent variables included features that might be related to sociodemographic features and immunization status. The statistical significance level was accepted as p<0.05. Results The study reached 382 (96.2%) healthcare workers. Healthcare workers' vaccination percentages were 6.3% for influenza, 62.3% for tetanus, 67.5% for hepatitis B, 20.1% for hepatitis A, 28.8% for varicella, and 39.5% for MMR. Most of the workers indicated that their occupation is risky for infectious diseases (85.6%), and they found that vaccination was necessary for their profession (76.4%). Physicians had 9.4 times more influenza vaccinations, 3.5 times more hepatitis B vaccinations and 2.8 times more MMR vaccinations (p=0.002 CI:2.278-38.520, p<0.001 CI:1.827-6.807, p=0.002 CI:1.464-5.205, respectively). Being a nonphysician assistant healthcare worker increased the vaccination rate for varicella vaccine by 2.8 times (p=0.018 Cl:1.190-6.510). Conclusion Vaccination programs may ensure an increase in the vaccination rates through training and awareness studies for healthcare professionals. The content of the interventions should be different for each vaccine and the characteristics of the occupational groups should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]