Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Agricultural Workers towards Tetanus Vaccine: a Field Report

Agricultural Workers are both more exposed to tetanus and at higher risk to be inadequately immunized than other usual recipients of the same vaccine.

Our cross-sectional questionnaire-based study aimed to evaluate tetanus vaccination status, knowledge, attitudes and practices in Agricultural Workers in North-Eastern Italy.

Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify, from individual and work-related characteristics, factors significantly associated with appropriate vaccination status.

Among 707 participants, 58.4% had an up-to-date immunization status. In 33.1%, last booster was performed by an Emergency Department. The main reason for inadequate immunization was having forgotten the recommended periodic booster (146/707; 20.7%). Attitude towards tetanus vaccination was somehow favourable in 79.5% of participants, and 72.7% correctly identified tetanus vaccination as mandatory for Agricultural Workers. A lower degree of false beliefs and better knowledge of official recommendations were significant predictors of vaccine propensity. The main predictor for an appropriate vaccination status was interaction with a healthcare provider, in general (adjusted Odds Ratio, adjOR 2.516 95%CI 1.707-3.710), and specifically regarding vaccine counseling, (adjOR 6.275 3.184-12.367 and adjOR 9.739 95%CI 3.933-24.111 for general practitioners and occupational physicians, respectively).

Our study enlightens the key role of healthcare providers in recalling and promoting vaccination policies, as well in increasing the general awareness of Agricultural Workers regarding vaccines and official recommendations.