Awareness of Hepatitis B, Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccine among Diabetic Patients

Objective: The main purpose of this study is to determine the awareness of diabetic patients on the necessity of having hepatitis B, influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations. As secondary objectives, the resources of this information and the influence of the resource (doctor, tv, neigbour etc.) on having this vaccination were evaluated. Material and Method: Diabetic patients referred to the Diabetes-Obesity clinic were asked to fill the Diabetes Vaccine Questionnaire. Patients who agree to fill out the questionnaire completed the forms with the help of doctors. Completed data entries were gathered together in computer and statistical studies were performed with SPSS software. Results: 318 patients participated in the study. The average age was 54.77 (61.9% women, 38.1% men). 90.9% of the patients were living in Ankara. 37.7% of the patients were primary school graduates, 28% were high school graduates and 28% of university graduates. 5% of patients did not know reading or writing. 6.9% of patients had Type 1 diabetes while the rest had Type 2 diabetes. Mean duration of diabetes was 8.8 years. 46.3% of the patients knew they had to get influenza vaccine. The rates were 18.9% for pneumococcal vaccine and 34.5% for hepatitis B vaccine. Most of the patients acquired the information from their doctors (72% for influenza vaccine group, 75% for pneumococcal vaccine group and 71.6% for hepatitis B vaccine group). Most of the patients were informed by family doctors, internal medicine doctors and endocrinologists (81.7% for influenza vaccine group, 76.8% for pneumococcal vaccine group and 72.6% for hepatitis B vaccine group). TV came second as the information source (16.7% for influenza vaccine group, 19.6% for pneumococcal vaccine group and 18.6% for hepatitis B vaccine group). Vaccination ratios of the patients for influenza, pneumococcus and hepatitis B were 14.6%, 3.8% and 15.5% respectively. Higher education status seemed to increase the vaccination rates in Hepatitis B group but no similar effect was found in influenza and pneumococcal vaccination groups. In terms of resources giving the information, data showed no effect on immunization. Conclusion: In our study, it was observed that the ratios of awareness about the necessity of vaccination and immunization rates in the diabetic patients are lower than it is in developed countries. More effort is needed by the responsible health units to increase these rates.