Abstract

Aim: To assess the knowledge and attitudes of medical students and young doctors regarding EPI and influenza vaccinations in Pakistan.

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration: King Edward Medical University, Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi Medical University and Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi from 1st January 2018 to 30th June 2018

Methodology: Three hundred and twenty eight students of 3rd year MBBS, Final year MBBS and house officers were included. Both male and female participants were chosen. Detained students were excluded.

Results: Mean score in the knowledge section was 11.3/20. Theoretical knowledge score (mean=5.76/10) and Clinical knowledge score (mean=5.75/10). Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed no significant difference (p=0.301) between theoretical and practical knowledge scores. New House officers showed the best mean scores in knowledge (14/20) as well as attitude (23/26). Majority of the respondents fell in average category in the knowledge section and had a positive attitude (58%). Defects in knowledge regarding EPI were identified as only 29% participants were able to correctly identify Meningitis as one of the diseases covered by EPI while many falsely identified Influenza (n=96) and typhoid (n=73) as part of EPI regime.

Conclusion: The knowledge and attitude scores for students and young doctors were nearly average. This indicates a need to improve the teaching methods and to adopt a more effective approach for imparting knowledge of immunization about vaccine preventable diseases in Pakistan.

Keywords: knowledge, Young doctors, immunization