Factors effecting influenza vaccination uptake among health care workers: a multi-center cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundThe present study aimed to identify factors affecting vaccination against influenza among health professionals.MethodsWe used a multi-centre cross-sectional design to conduct an online self-administered questionnaire with physicians and nurses at state and foundation university hospitals in the south-east of Turkey, between 1 January 2015 and 1 February 2015. The five participating hospitals provided staff email address lists filtered for physicians and nurses. The questionnaire comprised multiple choice questions covering demographic data, knowledge sources, and Likert-type items on factors affecting vaccination against influenza. The target response rate was 20 %.ResultsIn total, 642 (22 %) of 2870 health professionals (1220 physicians and 1650 nurses) responded to the questionnaire. Participants’ mean age was 29.6 ± 9.2 years (range 17–62 years); 177 (28.2 %) were physicians and 448 (71.3 %) were nurses. The rate of regular vaccination was 9.2 % (15.2 % for physicians and 8.2 % for nurses). Increasing age, longer work duration in health services, being male, being a physician, working in an internal medicine department, having a chronic disease, and living with a person over 65 years old significantly increased vaccination compliance (p < 0.05). We found differences between vaccine compliant and non-compliant groups for expected benefit from vaccination, social influences, and personal efficacy (p < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed differences between the groups in perceptions of personal risks, side effects, and efficacy of the vaccine (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis found that important factors influencing vaccination behavior were work place, colleagues’ opinions, having a chronic disease, belief that vaccination was effective, and belief that flu can be prevented by natural ways.ConclusionNumerous factors influence health professionals’ decisions about influenza vaccination. Strategies to increase the ratio of vaccination among physicians and nurses should consider all of these factors to increase the likelihood of success.

Seasonal influenza vaccination coverage: a multicenter cross-sectional study among healthcare workers

“…This finding supports us in preparing special programs suitable for different occupational categories in order to increase vaccine coverage [19]. In the study reported from Turkey, found the rate of regular vaccination to be 15.2% in the doctor group and reported that the rate of vaccination was low especially among the nurses who are regularly vaccinated [8]. In a study by Wong et al reported the vaccination rate as 38% among clinical nurses [20].…”

“…In the USA, influenza vaccination rates reached 75.2% in 2013-14 season due to the determination of influenza vaccine coverage as a performance criterion and mandatory vaccination policies, while this rate is still around 30% in Europe [5]. Although free influenza vaccination has been provided to healthcare workers in Turkey since 2002, vaccination rates are not yet at the desired level [6][7][8].…”

Determinants of nurses’ willingness to receive vaccines: Application of the health belief model

“…This signifies a need to target nurses with awareness and educational campaigns incorporating the concepts of protecting one's family from influenza during a pandemic situation. Also, studies demonstrated that side effects and perceived ineffectiveness of the influenza vaccine were factors contributing to HCP vaccination behaviours (Asma et al, 2016;Naleway et al, 2014;Nutman & Yoeli, 2016 Moreover, increasing influenza vaccine coverage may be crucial for implementing effective policies, such as a mandatory immunisation program for nurses (Haridi et al, 2017;Jaiyeoba et al, 2014;Winston et al, 2014).…”

Improving influenza vaccination rates of healthcare workers: a multipronged approach in Qatar

“…We found in all 3 seasons that other HCWs appeared to have higher IV uptake compared to nurses and physicians. Although we included HCWs, many previous studies limited their analyses to physicians and nurses and ignored other HCWs (25). Speculation about why HCWs appeared to have high IV uptake compared to nurses and physicians is not straightforward and needs to consider a wide range of demographic, educational, occupational, socioeconomic and health confounders, as well as residual confounding due to IV knowledge, attitudes and practice.…”

“…Speculation about why HCWs appeared to have high IV uptake compared to nurses and physicians is not straightforward and needs to consider a wide range of demographic, educational, occupational, socioeconomic and health confounders, as well as residual confounding due to IV knowledge, attitudes and practice. Such confounders include age, sex, marital status, education level, specialization, years of service, chronic comorbidity (e.g., those with diabetes or cardiovascular diseases were more likely to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza (25)), as well as personal beliefs about vaccine safety and efficacy. Indeed, research has highlighted a prevalent individual approach to vaccination among HCWs, as well as ethical issues concerning physicians who seem not to be concerned about the impact of influenza on themselves or their patients (25).…”