Beliefs and attitudes towards the Influenza vaccine in high-risk individuals

Santos, Ana João; Kislaya, Irina; Nunes, Baltazar

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/3109

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Authors

Santos, Ana João

Kislaya, Irina

Nunes, Baltazar

Abstract(s)

Introduction: The influenza impact is particularly evident in specific groups, like the elderly, pregnant and those with chronic disease, given their higher risk of complications associated with influenza infection. For this high-risk group of individuals, yearly vaccination in the autumn is recommended in most EU countries; however, Portuguese coverage has not yet met World Health Organization and the country immunization goal. In this study the Health Belief Model (HBM) is applied as the framework to access and predict vaccination status of community-dwelling Portuguese high-risk individuals (aged 65 and/or more years and having a chronic disease). Methods: The present data was collected in December 2013 ECOS wave. Developed by the National health Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge since 1998/99, ECOS (Em Casa Observamos Saúde) is a survey using a panel of Portuguese families. The questionnaire was applied to one element of the household unit (N =856) corresponding to 2343 individuals of all ages. HBM dimensions were obtained through thematic analysis of open responses and Poisson regression was applied to model the self-reported non-vaccine uptake. Results were weighted by age group and region. Results: About one third of the high-risk individuals reported to have taken the influenza vaccine (31.3%, CI95%[24.6-39.0]). Regarding the susceptibility dimension of the HBM, the self-reported main reasons not to take the vaccine, were: "considering oneself to be a healthy person" (29.8%, CI95%[22.1; 38.7]) and "never or rarely getting sick with the flu/cold" (19.3%; CI95%[13.3; 27.1]). The dimension barriers was the second most often pointed with individuals referring to previously bad experiences after vaccination (17.0%, CI95%[10.8; 23.8). After adjustment for age and presence of chronic disease, unvaccinated status prevalence was 100% higher in those who did not considered themselves susceptible to influenza (Prevalence Ratio=2.1, CI95%[1.1, 4.0] ); 87% higher when a bad experience with the vaccine was reported (Prevalence Ratio=1.87, CI95%[1.29, 2.71]) and 76% higher in individuals reporting difficulties in making an appointment with their doctor (Prevalence Ratio=1.8, CI95%[1.2, 2.6]) Conclusion: Perceived susceptibility and barriers to uptake the vaccine emerged as the dimensions most consistently associated with vaccination behaviour, this is in accordance to other studies that have applied the HBM to health preventive behaviours. These results points out to the insufficient self-knowledge or misconception about what constitutes being healthy, as well as the lack of knowledge about the disease itself. Vaccination campaigns may enhance their effectiveness if they take into consideration the factors that are most relevant to individual’s decision making.

Description

Resumo da apresentação publicado em: Gac Sanit. 2015;29 (Supl):166. Disponível em: http://www.gacetasanitaria.org/es/vol-29-num-s/suplemento/congresos/X0213911115X24386/#II CONGRESO IBEROAMERICANO DE EPIDEMIOLOGÍA Y SALUD PÚBLICA