Physicians' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices toward Expanded Immunization Programs in Saudi Arabia 2024

Abstract

Background: A better healthcare system depends critically on the regular assessment of healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), particularly physicians', with regard to expanded programs on immunizations (EPI). The aim of this study was to evaluate physicians' knowledge of the EPI, including vaccine cold storage and cold chain management procedures. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August 2024 among registered physicians' in Jeddah, KSA. A structured self-administered questionnaire (English and Arabic) was developed as well as from earlier studies (Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.734). The final questionnaire consisted of closed-ended questions in four sections, including socio-demographic information, knowledge (with dichotomous variables of yes/no), attitudes (with a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree), and handling of vaccines and cold chain management. Completed questionnaires were entered into Microsoft Excel and then imported into SPSS version 28 for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 186 physicians completely filled out their questionnaires, with a 97.9% response rate. More than half of the participants (57.5%) had no training related to EPI. Most of the respondents had a moderate to poor level of knowledge regarding EPI. The overall attitude was positive, and 57% of the participants strongly agreed that the national immunization programs can significantly contribute to the decrease in morbidity and mortality rates among children. In the current study, participants showed good practices toward EPI, vaccine storage, and cold chain management. The majority (93.5%) of the participants checked the expiry of vaccines at regular intervals to maintain the first expiry first out (FEFO) in their healthcare setting. Conclusion: Most of the physicians had moderate to poor knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practices toward EPI, vaccine cold storage, and cold chain management. Lack of training among physicians on EPI was also observed. These findings have suggested that continuous training, education, and regular supervision of physicians in EPI are important for maximum immunization effectiveness and coverage.