A cross-sectional survey to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding seasonal influenza vaccination among European travellers to resource-limited destinations

Background Older adults represent 70–90% of seasonal influenza-related deaths and 50–70% of influenza-related hospitalizations. Vaccination is the most efficient means of preventing influenza and reducing influenza-related illnesses. We aimed to describe knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of seasonal influenza vaccination among older adults in Honduras. Methods From August 29–October 26, 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional KAP survey regarding seasonal influenza vaccinations to samples of older adults 1) admitted to nursing homes and 2) attending daycare centers. We used the Minimental State Examination (MMSE) psychometric tool to assess the cognitive status of older adults and included participants with scores of ≥23 points in the survey. We reported frequency distributions for demographics, KAP of influenza virus and vaccination, and vaccination coverage. We used logistic regression to analyze associations between demographics and verified influenza vaccination. Results Of 511 MMSE participants, 341 completed the survey (95 adults in 12 nursing homes and 246 older adults in ten daycare centers). Almost all participants knew that influenza causes severe illness and may be transmitted from person to person, vaccination is safe and protects against disease, and older adults have greater risk of complications. Of 284 participants with verified vaccinations, 81.3% were vaccinated for influenza: 87.9% attending daycare centers and 61.4% in nursing homes. Among all participants, verified current influenza vaccination was associated with self-reported influenza vaccination in previous year (aOR: 14.05; 95% CI: 5.36–36.81); no formal education (aOR: 4.83; 95% CI: 1.63–14.37) or primary school education (aOR: 4.51; 95% CI: 1.79–11.37) having ≥secondary as reference; and indigenous (aOR: 4.55; 95% CI: 1.18–17.49) having Mestizo as reference. Reasons for vaccination were perceived self-benefits, protection against influenza complications, favorable vaccination hours, and healthcare provider recommendations. Conclusion Four-fifths of older adults were vaccinated for seasonal influenza. Educational efforts provided in conjunction with vaccination campaigns resulted in high knowledge of influenza virus, transmission, and vaccination. Further outreach regarding disease risks and vaccine safety needs to be directed towards older adults in nursing homes who had lower knowledge and coverage than older adults in daycare centers.

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Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of seasonal influenza vaccination in healthcare workers, Honduras

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0246379 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. e0246379

Author(s):

Zachary J. Madewell ◽

Rafael Chacón-Fuentes ◽

Jorge Jara ◽

Homer Mejía-Santos ◽

Ida-Berenice Molina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Healthcare Facility ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Knowledge And Attitude ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Background Seasonal influenza is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease that may cause high morbidity and mortality in susceptible populations. Healthcare workers are a priority group for seasonal influenza vaccination to protect them from contracting influenza and prevent nosocomial transmission to patients. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of seasonal influenza vaccination among healthcare workers in Honduras. Method From August 24 to October 21, 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional KAP survey regarding seasonal influenza vaccination to a random sample of healthcare workers who attended patients in hospitals of the Ministry of Health of Honduras (SESAL) and Honduran Social Security Institute (IHSS). We reported frequency distributions of demographics, vaccination KAP, sources of information, and reasons for non-vaccination. We used principal components factor analysis to create knowledge and attitude scores. We used linear regression to analyze associations between demographics and sources of information about the influenza vaccine, and knowledge and attitude scores. We used logistic regression to analyze associations between demographics, sources of information, knowledge scores, and attitude scores, and influenza vaccination. Result We surveyed 947 healthcare workers who attended patients in 13 SESAL hospitals and two IHSS hospitals. Only 4.6% of participants knew the seasonal influenza vaccine was composed of inactivated viruses, 94.7% believed vaccination causes flu-like symptoms, and 52.0% were vaccinated for influenza in 2018. Knowledge scores were lower for nursing assistants and other healthcare professionals compared to doctors, and higher for healthcare workers who attended a healthcare facility training (P-values≤0.030). Attitude scores were higher for healthcare workers who attended ≥11 patients per day having ≤10 patients per day as reference, self-reported influenza vaccination in previous year, and cited trainings and informal information at the healthcare facility as sources of information for influenza vaccination (P-values≤0.030). Factors associated with self-reported vaccination were self-reported influenza vaccination in previous year (aOR: 7.61; 95% CI: 5.24–11.04), attitude score (aOR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.07–1.21), and worked in a SESAL hospital (aOR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.12–2.68) having IHSS as reference. Conclusion Although influenza vaccination is required by law in Honduras and available for free in public health centers, coverage of healthcare workers in 2018 was half that reported in 2017. Lower coverage may be attributed to misconceptions of vaccination side effects.

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Factors Associated with Attitudes towards Seasonal Influenza Vaccination in Poland: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in 2020

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9111336 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 1336

Author(s):

Piotr Samel-Kowalik ◽

Mateusz Jankowski ◽

Mira Lisiecka-Biełanowicz ◽

Aurelia Ostrowska ◽

Mariusz Gujski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Positive Attitude ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Internet Users ◽

Pandemic Flu

We aimed to assess attitudes towards the influenza vaccine and factors associated with a willingness to vaccinate against seasonal influenza in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic (flu season 2020/2021). This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out between 5 and 15 November 2020 on a representative nationwide sample of 1052 individuals aged 18+ in Poland. Of the respondents, 5.5% (95% CI: 4.3–7.0%) declared that they had already got vaccinated against influenza and 13.4% (95% CI: 11.4–15.6%) declared a willingness to vaccinate against influenza during the 2020/2021 season. Out of nine different factors analyzed in this study, only three were significantly associated with attitudes towards influenza vaccination. Participants aged 75 years and over (OR = 5.82; 95% CI: 2.63–12.85), as well as participants aged 60–74 years (OR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.30–4.54), compared to those aged 19–29, had significantly higher odds of having a positive attitude towards seasonal influenza vaccination. Respondents who define themselves as completely religious unbelievers (OR = 4.34; 95% CI: 1.79–10.55), as well as Internet users (OR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.30–3.47), had higher odds of having a positive attitude towards influenza vaccination. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of adults in Poland who already got vaccinated or declared a willingness to vaccinate against influenza remains low. This also applies to high-risk groups.

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Seasonal influenza vaccination: knowledge, attitude and practice in Varna, Bulgaria

Therapeutic Advances in Vaccines and Immunotherapy ◽

10.1177/2515135519868152 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 251513551986815

Author(s):

Neli M. Ermenlieva ◽

Gabriela S. Tsankova ◽

Tatina T. Todorova

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Negative Attitude ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination ◽

Knowledge And Attitude ◽

Practice Knowledge

Background: Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for certain at-risk groups in Bulgaria, but vaccine coverage and the population’s perception of vaccination are currently unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the level of seasonal influenza vaccination in Varna Region, Bulgaria. It also aimed to investigate the status of knowledge and the attitude towards the reliability, safety, and other aspects associated with the use of influenza vaccines. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 120 responders in Varna Region, Bulgaria. They completed a questionnaire assessing the practice, knowledge, and attitude towards seasonal influenza vaccination. Results: Nearly 70% of all responders have never been vaccinated against seasonal influenza in their lives. The main reason indicated was a lack of confidence in the vaccine in general (53.7% of nonvaccinated responders). Individuals with insufficient knowledge, or with a negative perception, were more likely to not be vaccinated: being poorly informed and having a negative attitude towards influenza vaccination also decreased the chance of being vaccinated by 29% and 36%, respectively. Conclusions: This study indicates that efforts should be made towards achieving better understanding and knowledge of the vaccine’s mechanism of prevention and effectiveness among the Bulgarian population.

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Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices toward Seasonal Influenza Vaccine in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020479 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 479

Author(s):

Ibrahim A. Sales ◽

Wajid Syed ◽

Majed F. Almutairi ◽

Yazed Al Ruthia

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Seasonal Influenza Vaccine ◽

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Awareness Campaigns ◽

The Impact ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Objectives: Increasing national influenza vaccination rates continues to be a challenge for Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the Saudi public perceptions toward seasonal influenza vaccination and their association with the rate of vaccination. Methods: Individuals aged 15 years and older were surveyed about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the seasonal influenza vaccine using a previously developed and validated 19-item online questionnaire. The impact of the participants’ perceptions toward the seasonal influenza vaccine on their past influenza vaccination history was assessed using multiple linear regressions. Results: The rate of regular vaccination among the 790 surveyed participants was 12.65%, and those who were aged <24 years had the highest rate (57%). The vast majority of the participants with chronic diseases (>90%) reported irregular vaccination histories against seasonal influenza. Participants who believed that the influenza vaccine is safe (β = 3.27; 95% CI: 2.067 to 5.171; p <0.001), efficacious (β = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.834 to 4.498; p <0.001), should be given during a specific time in the year (β = 1.821; 95% CI: 1.188 to 2.789; p = 0.0059), and were aware of their need to get vaccinated against the seasonal influenza (β = 2.781; 95% CI: 1.254 to 6.188; p = 0.0119) were more likely to have received the vaccine. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the rate of seasonal influenza vaccination is low among the Saudi population, which necessitates the launching of public awareness campaigns about the importance of the seasonal influenza vaccine.

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Intention to have the seasonal influenza vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic among eligible adults in the UK: a cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049369 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e049369

Author(s):

Susan M Sherman ◽

Julius Sim ◽

Richard Amlôt ◽

Megan Cutts ◽

Hannah Dasch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Positive Attitude ◽

Online Survey ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination ◽

The Uk ◽

To Receive

ObjectiveTo investigate the likelihood of having the seasonal influenza vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals who were eligible to receive it.DesignWe conducted a cross-sectional online survey in July 2020. We included predictors informed by previous research, in the following categories: sociodemographic variables; uptake of influenza vaccine last winter and beliefs about vaccination.Participants570 participants (mean age: 53.07; 56.3% female, 87.0% white) who were eligible for the free seasonal influenza vaccination in the UK.Results59.7% of our sample indicated they were likely to have the seasonal influenza vaccination, 22.1% reported being unlikely to have the vaccination and 18.2% were unsure. We used logistic regression to investigate variables associated with intention to receive a seasonal influenza vaccine in the 2020–2021 season. A positive attitude to vaccination in general predicted intention to have the influenza vaccine in 2020–2021 (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.77, p<0.001) but the strongest predictor of intention was previous influenza vaccination behaviour (OR 278.58, 95% CI 78.04 to 994.46, p<0.001).ConclusionsPrevious research suggests that increasing uptake of the influenza vaccination may help contain a COVID-19 outbreak, so steps need to be taken to convert intention into behaviour and to reach those individuals who reported being unlikely or unsure about having the vaccine.

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