Knowledge, Belief and Barriers to Adult Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination among Primary Care Doctors in Sarawak

Adult influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations are grossly underutilized although there  is clear  benefit  in reducing  mortality  and  morbidity  among  those  at risk. The aim of the study was to assess primary care physician’s knowledge on adult influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations, their beliefs and barriers to vaccination. A cross-sectional  study  using  self-administered  questionnaires  was  conducted at eight primary  care  centres  in Kuching,  Sarawak.  A total of 108  primary  care physicians participated in this study.  Median age of participants was 29 years (IQR 4.0). The median  knowledge score  for influenza vaccine  was 9 (IQR 3) and  for pneumococcal vaccine was 8 (IQR 4). Female participants scored higher compared to their male  counterparts for influenza and  pneumococcal vaccines  (P = 0.005 & 0.007). The highest  percentage of correct  responses  for influenza vaccination was  for  side  effects  (75.3%)  while  the  lowest  was  for  contraindications (9.3%). The highest  percentage of correct  responses  for pneumococcal vaccination was for side effects (69.1%) while  the lowest  was for advocated target groups (6.2%). Most participants believed  that pneumococcal and  influenza vaccines  were  safe (92.8 & 99%) and  beneficial for patients  (89.7 & 93.8%). Cost of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines  (94.8% & 96.9%) and their availability  (86.6% & 89.7%) were the main barriers to prescribing  them. Primary care physicians  in the public sector have moderate knowledge of both adult vaccinations. Areas of knowledge paucity and barriers need to be addressed to ensure a more comprehensive health care delivery to the aging Malaysian population.