Primary Health Care Physicians’ Knowledge about Managing Diabetic Patients Before and During Ramadan in Alexandria: A Mixed Methods Study

Background: As the COVID-19 situation remains dynamic, there is a possibility of influenza and COVID-19 co-circulation.The World Health Organization has reevaluated the prioritization of influenza risk groups, including healthcare workers (HCWs).Objective: To assess the coverage of influenza vaccination among HCWs over four consecutive flu seasons and to examine the barriers, motivators, and attitudes toward influenza vaccination among HCWs during the 2022-2023 flu season.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a pre-prepared, selfadministered questionnaire.The study surveyed 304 HCWs at Fayoum university Hospitals.Results: The rate of influenza vaccine uptake increased from 16.9% during 2019-2020 flu season to 40.8% in the last season.The attitude score was greater for those who received a flu vaccination last season than for those who did not (39.93 4.89 vs. 37.77 5.50, p=0.001).SARS-CoV2 infection during the pandemic was significantly associated with vaccine uptake during the last flu season (2022-2023).Most respondents indicated that the flu vaccine would protect them or their family (93.5%).While the main perceived barrier was that the flu vaccine was not mandatory (55.0%).Multiple logistic regression analysis recognized that having COVID-19 during the pandemic (AOR =1.92, 95% CI: 1.07-3.47),and individuals who received the flu vaccine in 2021-2022 flu season (AOR = 6.53, 95% CI: 3.28 -12.98) to be significant predictors for the increased vaccine uptake during 2022-2023 flu season.Conclusions: Influenza vaccine coverage is suboptimal among HCWs due to inadequacy of knowledge and misperceptions and fears regarding vaccine efficacy and safety.