Factors affecting influenza vaccine uptake among health care workers

Abstract Background Given the nature of their activities, health care workers (hcws) are at higher risk of contracting influenza and transmitting the disease to their patients. Influenza vaccine (IV) remains the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. To the best of our knowledge, no national data on IV coverage among hcws is available in Tunisia. The present study aimed to assess the flu vaccination coverage among Tunisian hcws in the 2018-2019 influenza season and factors associated with IV uptake through a study of knowledge and attitudes related to influenza vaccination. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted in Tunisian primary and secondary health care facilities from March to May 2019. Hcws with direct patient contact were recruited according to a self-weighted multistage sampling. Survey data collection was based on a face to face questionnaire containing both open and closed questions. Results A total of 1231 hcws were enrolled in this study. Among respondents, 15.3% (95% CI: [12.3-17.2]) were vaccinated against influenza during the 2018-2019 influenza season. High confidence regarding vaccine efficacy (OR = 3.5, 95%CI: 2.5-4.8), belief that hcws' influenza immunization may decrease illness and deaths among patients (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.3) and belief that influenza vaccination can reduce work absenteeism (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.4) were associated with a higher IV uptake among hcws. In addition, participants who mentioned hcws as a target group for influenza vaccination (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.5-2.8) and who were agree that IV is indicated annually for hcws (OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.9-4.9) were more likely to receive the IV. Conclusions Influenza vaccination coverage among Tunisian health professionals in 2018-2019 was low. Our findings suggest that knowledge and attitudes regarding influenza vaccine influence vaccine compliance among hcws and should thus be targeted by vaccination campaigns to promote flu vaccine uptake in the health community. Key messages Vaccination coverage among Tunisian healthcare workers was low in the 2018-2019 influenza season. Our findings suggest that knowledge and attitudes regarding influenza vaccine influence vaccine uptake among Tunisian health care workers.

Download Full-text

Factors associated with influenza vaccine uptake amongst health care workers in a public hospital in Malaysia

International Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.1226 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 101 ◽

pp. 467-468

Author(s):

N. Sinarajoo ◽

G.N. Harikumar ◽

A. Shunmugarajoo ◽

Z. Sekawi ◽

A. Azmel

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Public Hospital ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Care Workers

Download Full-text

Vaccination Against Influenza Among Lebanese Health Care Workers in the Era of Coronavirus Disease 2019

10.21203/rs.3.rs-150253/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dalal Youssef ◽

Linda Abou Abass ◽

Janet Youssef ◽

Atika Berry

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Influenza Infection ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Care Workers ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of influenza infection. Hence, the rationale for immunization to protect them and their patients particularly during the co-circulation of influenza and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices among HCWs towards the influenza vaccine and to identify the determinants of their willingness to vaccinate. Methods: Using an online survey, a cross-sectional study, was conducted in Lebanon between 14th and 28th October 2020 among HCWs. Descriptive statistics were reported using frequency and percentages for categorical variables. Multivariable logistic regression was carried out to identify the factors associated with influenza vaccine uptake. Adjusted odds ratio and their 95% confidence intervals were reported. Results: A total of 560 HCWs participated in the survey of which 72.9% were females. The majority were nurses (63.2%), married (66.1%) and aged between 30-49 years (53.9%). Nearly half of them had a good level of knowledge (≥80%). As perceived by HCWs, the availability of a sufficient quantity of vaccine will be the biggest challenge. Benefits of vaccination in enhancing patient safety, and avoiding co-infection by influenza and COVID-19 were well-acknowledged by HCWs. 32.1% of HCWs have received the influenza vaccine during the last year and 80.2% were willing to vaccinate for the current year. The influenza uptake was higher among HCWs who have received influenza vaccine in the past season (OR = 6.812, CI (3.045-15.239)), having a fair health status (OR = 3.117, CI (1.345-7.220)), good knowledge (OR=3.305, CI (1.155-9.457)), positive attitude (OR=2.305, CI (0.921-5.571)), low perception of barriers (OR= 4.130, CI (1.827-9.334)) and high perception of benefits (OR=6.264, CI (2.919-13.442) and was lower in single and divorced (OR=0.527, CI (0.284-0.978)). ConclusionAddressing misconceptions unveiled in this study through adapted training, along with economic interventions are needed to improve influenza vaccination coverage among HCWs.

Download Full-text

Association between health care workers’ knowledge of influenza vaccine and vaccine uptake

American Journal of Infection Control ◽

10.1016/j.ajic.2013.06.020 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 69-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Oluwatosin Jaiyeoba ◽

Margaret Villers ◽

David E. Soper ◽

Jeffrey Korte ◽

Cassandra D. Salgado

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Care Workers

Download Full-text

Effects of a multi-faceted program to increase influenza vaccine uptake among health care workers in nursing homes: A cluster randomised controlled trial

Vaccine ◽

10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.05.003 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 28 (31) ◽

pp. 5086-5092 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

I. Looijmans-van den Akker ◽

J.J.M. van Delden ◽

Th.J.M. Verheij ◽

M.A.B. van der Sande ◽

G.A. van Essen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Cluster Randomised ◽

Care Workers ◽

Randomised Controlled

Download Full-text

Factors affecting influenza vaccine uptake among health care workers in the Medical and Health Sciences Center of Debrecen University, Hungary

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/oh.2012.29328 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 153 (13) ◽

pp. 505-513 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Piroska Orosi ◽

Ágnes Borbély ◽

Judit Szidor ◽

János Sándor

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Vaccination Rate ◽

Internal Communication ◽

Health Science ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Science Center ◽

Family Doctors ◽

Care Workers

Influenza vaccination is the most effective way of influenza prevention. The vaccination rate is low worldwide. In Hungary, the vaccine is free of charge to health care workers and, therefore, the low vaccination rate is unaccountable. Aims: In this study, the authors wanted to explore those factors which influence the refusal of vaccination. Methods: The Health Science Center of Debrecen University has about 4000 employees. The authors adjusted a questionnaire with 45 questions and sent it to 525 randomly selected health care workers, 294 of whom responded (response rate, 56%). The Epiinfo software was used for statistical evaluation. Results: The respondents strongly agreed that the vaccine is free and easy to obtain at the workplace. Official recommendations of the occupational health, the Medical Association of Hungary and advice of the family doctors failed to influence the decision. However, a significant impact of communication with family members, friends and colleagues on the decision was documented. Conclusions: The results indicate that the most important tool in decision making of influenza vaccination is the internal communication, but this effect is not a permanent one. International data show highly variable vaccination rates (between 2.1% and 82%). A better vaccination rate (98% or above) may be achieved with a mandatory influenza vaccination program among health care workers. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 505–513.

Download Full-text