Knowledge and Practices of Primary Health Care Providers Regarding Childhood Immunization

Abstract

Background: Uptake of vaccination services isn’t only dependent on provision of these services, but also in knowledge and practice of health care providers (HCPs), so WHO indicated that training of HCPs is an essential component of all expanded programs on immunization (EPI) activities. The aim of this study is to lower primary vaccine failure, morbidities and mortalities among children. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 150 HCPs and 16 primary healthcare units and one center in Shubra Khit District, Beheira Governorate, Egypt. Predesigned questionnaire and observational checklist were applied to collect data. The questionnaire assessed the knowledge of health care providers about storage, handling, administration, scheduling, doses, routes and contraindications of the different vaccines routinely. The checklist assessed the practice of health care providers regarding cold chain, room layout, preparation for vaccination session, general and specific practice related to each vaccine. Results:  The majority of health care providers had adequate level of knowledge about all vaccines except for MMR vaccines & Hib vaccines. There were significant associations between knowledge levels and place of work with (p= <0.001), qualification (P = 0.015), site of task (P =<0.001) and training courses (P = <0.001) among studied health care providers. Conclusions: As regards knowledge levels among studied health care providers, nearly two third had a good knowledge; the same for practice, it was very good in about two thirds of the studied units/center.