Predictors of influenza vaccination among elderly: a cross-sectional survey in Greece.
Aging Clin Exp Res
; 32(9): 1821-1828, 2020 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31606859
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Senior individuals are particularly vulnerable to influenza. Research suggests that protection against the virus and its transmission in this high-risk group of the population can be achieved by active immunization against the pathogen.AIMS:
To explore and analyze the attitudes, knowledge and behavior of people over the age of 60 on influenza vaccination. POPULATION ANDMETHODS:
This cross-sectional survey included people over the age of 60 who were eligible candidates for the influenza vaccine from 3 regions from Northern and 1 region from Southern Greece. A self-completed questionnaire based upon the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the Motivation for Vaccination (MoVac-flu) and the Vaccination Advocacy Scale (MovAd) was administered to the participants. Demographic characteristics and information about health status were also obtained.RESULTS:
The final sample included 318 participants with mean age of 70.7 years. More than half of the participants (56.6%) had received a flu vaccine in 2018 while 50.8% received it annually in previous years. Behavioral (p < 0.001), normative (p < 0.001), and control beliefs (p < 0.001), promoted the uptake of the vaccine and the increased intention score (p < 0.001) was associated with increased probability of vaccination. Greater age (p = 0.001) and frequent visits to the doctors (p = 0.003) had a positive influence upon the uptake of the vaccine.CONCLUSIONS:
Only a small proportion of those over the age of 60 had received the influenza vaccine. This finding is worrying, as it indicates the impact that a future outbreak of seasonal influenza could exert upon vulnerable groups. There is an urgent need for further, better and more evidence-based information from healthcare professionals to achieve greater vaccination coverage in the community.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Vacinas contra Influenza
/
Influenza Humana
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Aged
/
Humans
País como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article