Журнал инфекционных заболеваний и профилактической медицины
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Risk Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Influenza Infection and Influenza Vaccine among the General Public of Pakistan

Candella Abril

Purpose: Pakistan, including China and the United States, was severely affected by the rise of seasonal influenza in 2018. In the year 2020, Pakistan Medical Association has expressed concerns over the increasing influenza cases in different regions of Pakistan and has urged the general public to get influenza vaccine among other precautionary measures. However, traditional norms, high cost and low levels of education prevented people from getting influenza vaccination. Therefore, there is a need to assess the risk perceptions and attitudes towards influenza infection and influenza vaccination among the general public of Pakistan.

Methods: This multi-centered, cross-sectional study was conducted in three metropolitan cities of Pakistan. Four hundred and two participants took part in the survey using non-probability convenience sampling. The target population was males and females of age>15 years. Descriptive statistics were followed by the odds ratio analysis.

Results: The public (n=402) with risks perceptions (notably, serious effects on health (OR=5.2, p<0.05), and severe influenza outbreak (OR=7.1, p<0.05)); and attitudes towards influenza infections (influenza out of control (OR=3, p<0.05), and influenza may extend for a long time (OR=3, p<0.05)), were strongly convinced to go for the influenza vaccination. In addition, government and doctors’ recommendations (OR=6, p<0.05), were found significant to urge public to take influenza vaccination.

Conclusion: Though the odds ratios are high for the public ready to take influenza vaccine in influenza season or outbreak, efforts are required to convince those who do not intend to take it and are unaware of the risks associated with contagious influenza infection. The government should promote knowledge and understanding of the risks associated with influenza infection by developing public awareness programs and supporting physicians in recommending influenza vaccination among the general public.