To investigate the knowledge level and vaccination rates of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in patients receiving hemodialysis for chronic renal failure in Adiyaman province

Aim: Because of the impairment of immune system response in hemodialysis patients, morbidity and mortality, due to vaccine-preventable diseases such as influenza virus and pneumococcal infections, have increased significantly. Therefore, it is recommended that hemodialysis patients be vaccinated with influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. In this study, in Adiyaman provinces and districts, vaccination rate, factors affecting vaccination and the awareness level of patients receiving hemodialysis treatment about influenza and pneumococcal vaccines were investigated. Materials and Methods: This descriptive survey was conducted between April 2018 and May 2018 among the patients receiving treatment at the hemodialysis units of Adiyaman University Education and Research Hospital, Besni State Hospital, Kahta State Hospital and Golbasi State Hospital. Results: The study included 190 hemodialysis patients with a mean age of 55.3 ± 16.3 (min.18 to max.100) years. Of the patients, 53.7% were aware that they had to be vaccinated against infectious diseases because of their hemodialysis treatment. It was observed that 44.7% of the patients should be vaccinated with influenza vaccine. There was no patient who knew that they had to be vaccinated with a pneumococcal vaccine. The percentage of patients vaccinated with influenza vaccine was 61.1% and no patients were vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccine. In logistic regression analysis, "the awareness of influenza vaccination" (Odds ratio (OR): 19,6 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 6,34-60,89; p <0,001), "receiving treatment in dialysis centers in the district center" (OR: 17,53; CI: 6,83-44,96; p<0,001) and "receiving dialysis treatment for more than two years" (OR: 2,79; CI: 1,10-7,05; p=0,030), were determined as the most important positive predictors affecting the vaccination status. Conclusion: This study showed that vaccination rates of influenza in hemodialysis patients in Adiyaman province were significantly lower compared to "Healthy People 2020" targets and no hemodialysis patients were vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine. Developing strategies to increase the awareness of patients about influenza and pneumococcal vaccines will have a positive impact on vaccination rates. In addition, reducing the additional workload of physicians responsible for dialysis seems to be another important factor that can contribute to the increase of vaccination rates. Key words: hemodialysis, influenza, pneumococcus, vaccination, level of knowledge