THE BURDEN OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS IN TURKIYE: FINDINGS FROM A PATIENT SURVEY ON AWARENESS, DISEASE EXPERIENCE, AND IMMUNIZATION ATTITUDES
Author(s)
Ekin Begum Ozdemir, MSc1, Selin Okcun, MSc2, OZNUR SEYHUN, BSc, MFE, MSc3, Guvenc Kockaya, MSc, PhD, MD3, Haluk Özsari, Prof. Dr.4, Zafer Caliskan, PhD5, Simten Malhan, Prof. Dr.6, Ilknur Okay, BSc7.
1Econix Research, İstanbul, Turkey, 2Health Economist, Econix Research, Samsun, Turkey, 3Econix Research, Tallin, Estonia, 4İstanbul Üniversitesi, İstanbul, Turkey, 5Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, 6Başkent Üniversitesi, ANKARA, Turkey, 7El Bebek Gül Bebek Derneği, Istanbul, Turkey.
1Econix Research, İstanbul, Turkey, 2Health Economist, Econix Research, Samsun, Turkey, 3Econix Research, Tallin, Estonia, 4İstanbul Üniversitesi, İstanbul, Turkey, 5Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, 6Başkent Üniversitesi, ANKARA, Turkey, 7El Bebek Gül Bebek Derneği, Istanbul, Turkey.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to systematically assess Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) awareness, pediatric disease burden, and healthcare utilization in Türkiye, while investigating parental and expectant mothers' attitudes, barriers, and behaviors regarding routine and RSV immunization.
METHODS: This descriptive study utilized quota sampling to enroll 1,061 participants, comprising expectant mothers, fathers, and mothers of pediatric cohorts (including preterm infants). Data were collected via Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) using a 59-item questionnaire assessing RSV awareness, disease experience, and immunization attitudes.
RESULTS: Baseline RSV awareness was critically low among the 1,061 participants (75.6% female, 21.3% pregnant): 87% were unfamiliar with the virus, and only 16.1% recognized its pediatric severity. While routine vaccination compliance was high, primary barriers to RSV immunization were lack of awareness (55%) and fear of side effects (19%). Regarding disease burden, 30.1% of children experienced a lower respiratory tract infection within their first two years, with a 61.4% hospitalization rate among infants aged 0-3 months. Public hospitals dominated care delivery (53% outpatient, 78% inpatient). Notably, while 64% viewed healthcare providers as their most reliable source of information, only 7.4% had received a clinical recommendation for RSV immunization.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite high routine pediatric vaccination compliance in Türkiye, a critical deficit in RSV awareness and proactive clinician recommendations severely impedes immunization uptake. Given the substantial disease burden and high infant hospitalization rates, systematic provider-led educational initiatives and targeted immunization strategies are urgently required to safeguard vulnerable infant populations.
METHODS: This descriptive study utilized quota sampling to enroll 1,061 participants, comprising expectant mothers, fathers, and mothers of pediatric cohorts (including preterm infants). Data were collected via Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) using a 59-item questionnaire assessing RSV awareness, disease experience, and immunization attitudes.
RESULTS: Baseline RSV awareness was critically low among the 1,061 participants (75.6% female, 21.3% pregnant): 87% were unfamiliar with the virus, and only 16.1% recognized its pediatric severity. While routine vaccination compliance was high, primary barriers to RSV immunization were lack of awareness (55%) and fear of side effects (19%). Regarding disease burden, 30.1% of children experienced a lower respiratory tract infection within their first two years, with a 61.4% hospitalization rate among infants aged 0-3 months. Public hospitals dominated care delivery (53% outpatient, 78% inpatient). Notably, while 64% viewed healthcare providers as their most reliable source of information, only 7.4% had received a clinical recommendation for RSV immunization.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite high routine pediatric vaccination compliance in Türkiye, a critical deficit in RSV awareness and proactive clinician recommendations severely impedes immunization uptake. Given the substantial disease burden and high infant hospitalization rates, systematic provider-led educational initiatives and targeted immunization strategies are urgently required to safeguard vulnerable infant populations.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
CO133
Topic
Clinical Outcomes
Topic Subcategory
Clinical Outcomes Assessment
Disease
Respiratory-Related Disorders (Allergy, Asthma, Smoking, Other Respiratory)