Medical Science
Volume 24, Issue 106, November - December, 2020
Factors influencing adult immunization practices
Ranya A Ghamri1, Shoruq A Alwagdani2♦, Rawan M Alamoudi2, Manar A Makin2, Salwa A Alshiqayhi2, Alya S Alharbi2
1Family Medicine Department, King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2Medical intern, King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
♦Corresponding author
Medical intern,
King Abdul-Aziz University,
Jeddah,
Saudi Arabia;
Email: Alwagdani.shoruq@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Objective: A misunderstanding of the need for immunization is evident by many people who are not vaccinated or are misinformed
about vaccinations and the diseases they are intended to prevent. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing immunization
practices among adults in the general population at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional
study was conducted through an online survey. A predesigned questionnaire was used to collect data on participants’
characteristics, social habits, chronic diseases, frequency of visits to a doctor, vaccinations during the past year, frequency of
receiving recommended vaccinations, and factors affecting decisions to be vaccinated. Participants’ knowledge about vaccines was
assessed and a score was assigned to quantify their level of knowledge. Results: During the past year, 73.8% of the participants
received a vaccine. The common factors influencing their decision to be vaccinated were the advice of a physician (73.5%),
understanding which vaccine they needed (70.8 %), and knowing why the vaccine was given to them (70 %). Most of the participants
(63%) had a good level of knowledge of vaccines, had a Saudi nationality, were employed as accountants and healthcare workers,
and received a vaccination during the past year. Conclusion: There is a need to raise public awareness of adult vaccinations through
community initiatives and by alerting the public about risk factors, such as age and comorbidities, which are indicators for
vaccinations.
Keywords: Immunization, vaccine, vaccination, Saudi Arabia
Medical Science, 2020, 24(106), 4453-4462
