General practitioners’ knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding optional immunization in urban area of Sangli District: A cross sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Immunization is one of the most effective, safest, and efficient public health interventions. Thousands of children are still dying from vaccine-preventable diseases every year. Administration of optional vaccines such as Hib, Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), typhoid, hepatitis A, chickenpox, and rotavirus at appropriate age helps them in protecting from various diseases in under 18 population. Also, the attitude and practices of general practitioners have an important role in preventing modern diseases in children. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding optional vaccines among the general practitioners. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study type: Cross-sectional. Study setting: Sangli–Miraj–Kupwad corporation area. Study subject: Practicing General Practitioners willing to participate. Study period: July 2018–Sep 2019. Study tools: predesigned, pretested questionnaire. Statistical analysis: by using Microsoft Excel and SPSS 22.0 version software. RESULTS: Out of 162 general practitioners, 105 were males and 57 were females. A total of 83 (51.23%) general practitioners had good knowledge about optional vaccines in their practice. Good knowledge was found to be highest among MBBS practitioners 38 (55.9%). A total of 118 (72.84%) general practitioners were counseling the parents regarding optional vaccines. CONCLUSION: There is a need to create training programs and continuing medical education (CMEs) for general practitioners (GPs) on optional vaccination practices to improve knowledge.