scholarly journals Evaluation of Flu Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Workers during a 3 Years’ Study Period and Attitude towards Influenza and Potential COVID-19 Vaccination in the Context of the Pandemic

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 769
Author(s):  
Giuditta Scardina ◽  
Luca Ceccarelli ◽  
Virginia Casigliani ◽  
Sara Mazzilli ◽  
Marco Napoletano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
Flu Vaccine ◽  
Potential Vaccine

(1) Background: vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) against seasonal influenza is considered the most effective way to protect HCWs, ensure patient’s safety and to maintain essential health care services during influenza epidemics. With the present study we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of incremental bundles of measures implemented during the last three flu campaigns and to assess the attitudes towards influenza vaccination and a potential vaccine against COVID-19 among HCWs, in a large university hospital in Pisa, Italy. (2) Methods: We described measures implemented during 2018/2019, 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 and assessed their impact on flu vaccine coverage (VC) among employees and residents in Pisa university hospital. We considered sex, profession and ward to investigate differences in uptake. In addition, in 2020 a survey was developed and distributed to all employees to evaluate flu and COVID-19 vaccines attitudes. (3) Results: during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 flu campaigns the overall VC rate among HCWs was, respectively, 10.2% and 11.9%. In 2020/21 the overall VC rate jumped to 39.3% (+230.6%). Results from the survey indicated a more positive attitude towards flu vaccine as compared to COVID-19 vaccines among the 10.6% of the staff members who responded to the survey. In addition, 70.97% of HCWs totally agreed that being vaccinated against influenza would be more important than the previous years because of COVID-19 emergency. (4) Conclusions: a significant increase in VC was observed in 2020/21, especially among those sub-groups with consistently lower uptake in previous years. The COVID-19 pandemic positively influenced flu vaccination uptake during the 2020/21 season.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Among U.S. Army Civilians and Dependents in the Kaiserslautern Military Community: A Mixed-Methods Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica M Burns ◽  
Fritz M Castillo ◽  
Rodney L Coldren ◽  
Trisha Prosser ◽  
Renee L Howell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Military Health ◽  
Influenza Outbreak ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
Flu Vaccine

ABSTRACT Introduction Influenza is a globally occurring viral respiratory infection that can lead to hospitalizations and death. An influenza outbreak can interfere with combat readiness in a military setting, as the infection can incapacitate soldiers. Vaccination remains the most effective tool to prevent and mitigate seasonal influenza. Although influenza vaccinations for U.S. Army soldiers can be monitored through military health systems, those systems cannot capture DoD civilians and Army dependents who may not use military health services. This study aims to gauge flu vaccine uptake and perceptions in U.S. Army civilians and dependents. Materials and Methods An online survey was e-mailed to civilian and dependent enrollees of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. The survey contained 24 questions pertaining to demographics, vaccine history, history of the flu, and beliefs toward vaccines. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regressions were performed to investigate the association between demographic, behavior, and belief factors with vaccine uptake. Free-text answers were coded and categorized by themes. Results Over 70% of respondents were vaccinated for the flu. There were differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated respondents regarding their perceptions of barriers to vaccination, benefits of the flu vaccine, severity of flu symptoms, and personal risk of getting ill with the flu. After controlling for confounders, flu vaccination in the previous season and healthcare worker status were associated with increased vaccine uptake, while perceived barriers to influenza vaccination were associated with decreased vaccine uptake. Conclusions Flu vaccine uptake may be increased by increasing access to vaccination, promoting vaccination and addressing concerns at the provider level, and engaging positively framed public messaging. Increasing flu vaccine uptake is of particular importance as the flu season approaches during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.

Telemedicine in Patients With an Ostomy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Observational Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-17
Author(s):  
Vincenza Dinuzzi ◽  
Giuseppe Palomba ◽  
Maria Minischetti ◽  
Alfonso Amendola ◽  
Pierluigi Aprea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Mechanical Bowel Preparation ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Retrospective Observational Study ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Group B ◽  
Stoma Care

BACKGROUND: Italy instituted a lockdown from March 10 to May 3, 2020, due to the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic. All nonessential businesses were closed during this time, and health care services were reorganized. On March 11, the Stoma Care Center started providing telehealth services for patients with a stoma. PURPOSE: This retrospective observational study describes the experience of the Stoma Care Center of the University Hospital Federico II, Naples, Italy, before and during the lockdown. METHODS: Consultation records from January 1 through April 29 were retrieved, patient demographics and reasons for consultation abstracted, and pre-lockdown (January 1 to February 29) and lockdown (March 1 to April 29) information was compared. Patients who used telehealth services were also asked to rate their satisfaction with these services on a scale of 0 (extremely dissatisfied) to 4 (extremely satisfied). The authors analyzed all consultations provided from January to April 2020 and evaluated the use of telemedicine services for patients with an ostomy. Consultations were divided into 2 groups. Group A included consultations provided from January 1 to February 29. Group B included consultations provided from March 1 to April 29, which included the lockdown period. Group B included both in-person and telemedicine consultations. RESULTS: During the pre-lockdown period, 240 in-person consultations were provided. During the lockdown period, 181 in-person and 99 telemedicine consultations were provided. The number of in-person consultations for mechanical bowel preparation and transanal irrigation system training was lower (12.5% vs 6.6% [P = .046] and 3.3% vs 0% [P = .03]), whereas the number of consults for stoma care follow-up and stoma complications was higher (202 [84.1%] vs 266 [95%]). Of the 65 patients who completed the questionnaire, 82% indicated being extremely satisfied. CONCLUSIONS: The reorganization of stoma care services, including the availability of telemedicine, did not result in a decrease in the number of consultations provided. The results suggest that stoma care services using telemedicine may provide valid support for patients with an ostomy in the future.

scholarly journals Fostering Flu Vaccination in Healthcare Workers: Forum Theatre in a University Hospital

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 4574-4578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Corsaro ◽  
Andrea Poscia ◽  
Chiara de Waure ◽  
Concetta De Meo ◽  
Filippo Berloco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Forum Theatre ◽  
Flu Vaccination

Freshman Flu Vaccination Behavior and Intention During a Nonpandemic Season

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 662-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendra L. Ratnapradipa ◽  
Ryan Norrenberns ◽  
J. Austin Turner ◽  
Allison Kunerth
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
College Freshmen ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
Past Behavior ◽  
Vaccination Behavior ◽  
Vaccination History ◽  
Flu Vaccine ◽  
Belief Model

Objective. To examine predictors of flu vaccination and vaccination intention among college freshmen during a nonpandemic influenza season using the health belief model (HBM). Participants. A total of 184 college freshmen at a single institution participated in a mixed-mode (paper or online) survey in October-November 2015. Method. Flu vaccination and intention to vaccinate were predicted using binomial logistic regression on HBM constructs (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and availability), prior flu vaccination history, family and peer reference behaviors, and demographics. Results. Overall, 31.5% of participants received the seasonal flu vaccine by mid-November, and 25% intended to receive it. In full models, history of past flu vaccination (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 7.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.55-24.49) was significant for vaccination while availability (aOR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.32-3.01) and family intention (aOR = 250.59; 95% CI = 3.77 to >999) were positively associated with intent to vaccinate. Significant confounding by past behavior and family intentions existed for both outcomes. Conclusions. Past flu vaccination behavior and family member intentions to vaccinate were better predictors of annual flu vaccination behavior and intention than HBM constructs among college freshmen. College campuses may enhance flu vaccine coverage by highlighting benefits and availability to students and families.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Beliefs and Attitudes towards the Influenza Vaccine among Future Healthcare Workers in Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2105
Author(s):  
Sylwia Kałucka ◽  
Agnieszka Głowacka ◽  
Elżbieta Dziankowska-Zaborszczyk ◽  
Izabela Grzegorczyk-Karolak
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Immunization Coverage ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Health Promotion Programs ◽  
Flu Vaccine ◽  
Better Than

The flu vaccine is the best treatment for avoiding the flu and its complications. The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge of the flu vaccine and attitude towards the influenza vaccine among medical students in four majors of study (Nursing, Midwifery, Pharmacy, and Public health) in all years of study. A total number of 1137 subjects took part in the study. Most of the vaccinated students assessed the flu vaccine positively (78.5%, 73.7%, 60.7%, and 65.1%, according to their respective majors) and reported that they did not get the flu during the period of vaccination (90.4%, 92.1%, 87.4%, and 97.7%, respectively). Therefore, 65% of the students of Pharmacy, 78% of Midwifery, and 83% of Nursing who were vaccinated once in the last three years recommended the influenza vaccination, and 100% of all students received a regular vaccination every year. The univariate and multivariate logistic regressions showed that a maximum of four factors had a significant impact on the students’ knowledge of the influenza vaccine. Knowledge about the flu vaccine was the highest among Pharmacy students and lowest among Public health students. Final-year students answered the questions better than the younger ones (p < 0.05). Their place of residence and flu vaccination status also appeared to influence their answers. Although all students demonstrated good knowledge of the flu vaccine and demonstrated positive attitudes towards the vaccine, their rate of immunization was low. Therefore, health promotion programs are needed to improve immunization coverage among medical students who are future healthcare workers.

scholarly journals Assessing Vaccine Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study at an Italian Paediatric Hospital and the Development of a Healthcare Worker’s Vaccination Compliance Index

Vaccines ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Paoli ◽  
Chiara Lorini ◽  
Francesco Puggelli ◽  
Antonino Sala ◽  
Maddalena Grazzini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Paediatric Hospital ◽  
System A ◽  
Strategic Training

Healthcare workers (HCWs) in paediatric hospitals are an important source of advice on vaccinations, but vaccine hesitancy can affect even these professionals. The aim of this study is to assess this phenomenon, measuring it by means of a scoring system. A survey was conducted in five departments of an Italian paediatric university hospital of national interest. Vaccination against influenza was considered a behavioral indicator of vaccination uptake. Using the collected data, the healthcare worker’s vaccination compliance index (HVCI) was computed. The results demonstrate statistically significant differences between departments and professional profiles. Nearly 80% of the sample was not immunized against seasonal influenza. According to the HVCI scores, the most hesitant departments are the intensive care unit, emergency room, and oncohematology department, while the most hesitant professional profiles are nurses and auxiliary staff. The score of the unvaccinated is significantly lower than that of the vaccinated, and the same difference was found between those who self-perceive to be skilled versus unskilled. The HVCI score was statistically verified as a predictive parameter to assess vaccination against seasonal influenza. By means of strategic training policies, both HVCI and perceived skills could be improved, suggesting that hospital management should draw a complex intervention program to fight against hesitancy.

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