AUTHOR=Ahmed Wesam S. , Abu Farha Rana , Halboup Abdulsalam M. , Alshargabi Arwa , Al-mohamadi Ahmed , Abu-rish Eman Y. , Zawiah Mohammed , Al-Ashbat Yousf K. , Al-Jamei Sayida 

TITLE=Knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and practice toward seasonal influenza and its vaccine: A cross-sectional study from a country of conflict

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1030391

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1030391

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Background: Seasonal influenza vaccine is an important preventive measure against influenza and its associated complications. In Yemen, there is no seasonal influenza vaccination policy, and the influenza vaccine is excluded from the national immunization program. Data on vaccination coverage remain scarce with no previous surveillance programs or awareness campaigns implemented in the country. The current study aims to assess awareness, knowledge and attitudes of the public in Yemen towards seasonal influenza and their motivators and perceived barriers to receiving its vaccine.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to eligible participants using convenience sampling approach.
Results: A total of 1396 participants completed the questionnaire. Respondents showed a median knowledge score of influenza of 11.0/15.0 and most (70%) were able to recognize its modes of transmission.  However, only 11.3% of participants reported receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine. Physicians were the respondents’ most preferred information source for influenza (35.2%) and their recommendation (44.3%) was the most cited reason for taking its vaccine. On the other hand, not knowing about the vaccine’s availability (50.1%), concerns regarding the safety of the vaccine (17%) and not considering influenza as a threat (15.9%) were the main reported barriers to getting vaccinated.  
Conclusions: The current study showed a low uptake of influenza vaccine in Yemen. Physician’s role in promoting influenza vaccination seems to be essential. Extensive and sustained awareness campaigns would likely increase awareness to influenza and remove misconceptions and negative attitudes towards its vaccine. Equitable access to the vaccine can be promoted by providing it free of charge to the public.