ASSESSMENT OF PEDIATRIC INTERNS' COMMITMENT TO PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN MEDICAL UNIVERSITIES OF ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN.

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, pneumococcal infection (PI) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under the age of five worldwide, particularly in developing countries.

Objective: To assess the awareness, attitudes, and adherence of pediatric interns toward pneumococcal vaccination. The study also aimed to identify specific knowledge gaps regarding vaccine characteristics, immunization schedules, and factors contributing to antibiotic resistance, in order to justify the need for improvements in immunoprophylaxis education within medical universities.

Materials and methods: A total population cross-sectional sociological study was conducted among 6th- and 7th-year pediatric faculty interns from two medical universities in Almaty, Kazakhstan (n=50).

Results and discussion: The findings revealed that most interns do not feel fully prepared to independently conduct pneumococcal vaccination, despite a high level of awareness regarding its importance. These results highlight the urgent need to implement targeted educational programs aimed at deepening future pediatricians' knowledge in the prevention of pneumococcal infections.

Conclusion: The data obtained suggest the necessity of strengthening educational curricula in medical universities, focusing on in-depth study of immunoprophylaxis, clinical microbiology, and antibiotic therapy.