Assessment of the knowledge, practice, and barriers of physicians in Lagos about respiratory diseases preventable vaccines

Abstract

Objectives: Immunizations are indicated in a wide range of clinical situations. There are gaps in the implementation of the acceptable recommended guidelines on adult immunization in Nigeria. This study aims to evaluate the perceptions, practices, and barriers of physicians in recommending adult vaccines. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous, self-administered survey to understand the perceptions, practice, and barriers to adult vaccine recommendations among adult physicians in Lagos. Results: Ninety-seven physicians completed the questionnaire with male-to-female ratio of 1:1.3. The mean age of the responders was 39.54 ± 6.2. The proportion with overall good knowledge was 40 (41.2%). The vaccines routinely recommended include: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 73 (81.1%), COVID-19 vaccine 70 (77.8%), and influenza vaccine 57 (63.3%), respectively. The common barriers for vaccine recommendation include: Unavailability 53 (54.6%), poor reminder systems, 43 (44.3%), inadequate insurance coverage 33 (34%), and vaccine shortage 31 (32%). There was a significant association between the knowledge of physicians and sociodemographics, including age (c2 = 6.548, P = 0.038), duration of practice (c2 = 7.761, P = 0.039), type of specialist training (c2 = 3.860, P = 0.049), as well as specialty (c2 = 11.282, P = 0.004). Conclusion: This study suggests that the knowledge of physicians regarding adult vaccinnations is below average. Most recommended adult respiratory disease preventable vaccines are pneumococcal conjugate, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccines. The major barriers to vaccination include availability and cost. The implication of this finding is the need to increase awareness about vaccine utilization as well as access among physicians in Lagos and Nigeria at large if the narrative must change.