Examination of health care personnel's knowledge about technique and site selection for parenteral vaccinations

This study was conducted as a descriptive and cross sectional study for the purpose of examining health care personnel's knowledge of and influential factors regarding technique and site selection for administration of parenteral vaccinations. The research sample was comprised of 96 health care personnel who administer vaccinations and who were chosen using a randomized method from 19 Health Centers (without bed) and 13 Mother-Child Health and Family Planning Centers. A Parenteral Vaccination Administration Description Form, which was developed by the researcher after receiving expert opinions, was used for data collection. The data that were obtained were evaluated using Chi ?square (Fisher and Yates continuty correction) test. Of the personnel participating in the research 34.4% were nurses, 65.6% were midwives, 53.1% were in the 35 and older age group, and 62.5% worked at a neighborhood primary health care clinic. The majority (64.5%) of the midwives and nurses were graduates of an associate (2-year university) degree program. It was determined that 5.2-100% of the health care personnel knew the correct choice of site according to type of vaccination and 83.3%-97.9% knew the correct technique of administration. Only two individuals (2.1%) knew the correct site selection for the administration of eight vaccinations, and 55 individuals (57.3%) knew the correct administration technique. It was determined that the health care personnel's profession, educational level, working years and status of having primary responsibility for administering vaccinations did not have an effect on the correct site selection or correct technique for administration. The percentage of those who knew the administration technique for measles vaccination in school age children was higher for those who had received education about immunizations than for those who had not. The status of receiving education did not have an effect on the administration technique or selection site for the other vaccinations. In conclusion health care personnel do not have sufficient knowledge about site selection and technique for administration of vaccinations. It is recommended that education be planned about vaccination administration in children of different ages for health care personnel who have a significant effect on the success of immunization. Key words: health care personnel, parenteral vaccination, site selection, technique for administration