- Autores: Igreja R, Barros K, Teodósio R
- Ano de Publicação: 2019
- Journal: Acta Medica Saliniana
- Link: http://saliniana.com.ba/index.php/ams/article/view/515
Objectives:To evaluate attitudes on vaccination among Portuguese travelers and Brazilian migrants in Portugal.
Material and Methods:Between May and June 2019 a cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Travel Clinic of the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine of Lisbon. A self-administered questionnaire was applied after medical consultation. Travelers were asked about their attitudes to vaccines. An anonymous web-based survey was sent to Brazilian migrants living in Portugal for at least 6 months.
Results: 55 Portuguese (P) travelers and 22 Brazilian (B) migrants answered the questionnaire. 47.3% of Portuguese travelers were male; the mean age was 33 years; reason for travel: tourism (43.6%) or business (30.9%). 31.8% of Brazilian migrants were male and the mean age was 44 years; 71.4% were living in Portugal for ≤ 2 years. Attitudes towards vaccines: 64.8% P and 68.2% B prefer to vaccine even when the risk of acquire a disease is low; 64.1% P and 95.5% B consider that the resistance acquired by disease is better than resistance acquired by vaccine; 75.5% P and 77.3% B prefer to vaccine even when diseases are not severe; 5.6% P and 13.6% B don’t take vaccines because they are afraid of side effects.About the reasons to accept a vaccine, travelers/migrants consider very important to trust in the doctor (100% P, 95.4% B), and the excellent protective effect of a vaccine (98.1% P, 90.9% B).
Conclusions: Portuguese travelers and Brazilian migrants in Portugal seem to have a favorable attitude towards vaccination, despite the anti–vaccination movements in Europe. They believe that trust in the doctor and excellent protection of the vaccines are reasons to accept it. The quality of traveler’s advice may maintain/increase adherence to vaccination.