Which factors effects patients belief and attitudes about influenza vaccination?

Abstract

Introduction: Despite its proven efficacy, vaccination rates with influenza vaccine are considerably low. This study aimed to investigate the vaccination rates with influenza-vaccine and the factors affecting attitude toward vaccination. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was applied to patients presenting to outpatient clinic between October 2011-January 2012. Results: Of these 1251 (671 F, 580 M) patients with a mean age of 47.7 ± 15.1, 61.9% had an indication for influenza-vaccination. The rate of vaccination was 33.4%. Among the vaccinated patients, the ratio of patients with an educational level of high-school or above (60.6%) was greater than that of patients with a lower educational level (39.4%) (p= 0.01). The vaccination rates were greater among those with chronic lung disease (43.6%), heart disease (21.2%), and diabetes (19.3%) (p< 0.001, p= 0.02, and p= 0.03, respectively). A multivariate regression analysis revealed that the independent variables associated with vaccination were considering the vaccine protective (OR, 2.13; CI, 1.85-4.24, p= 0.03), getting vaccinated to protect oneself (OR, 6.31; CI, 3.25-12.63, p< 0.001), getting vaccinated to protect one’s family against influenza (OR, 5.42; CI, 3.11-9.54, p= 0.02), the vaccine being recommended by a physician (OR, 4.15; CI, 2.03-7.45, p< 0.001), being regularly-vaccinated (OR, 5.32; CI, 3.24-6.35, p< 0.001), and suffering from chronic lung disease (OR, 2.21; CI, 1.64-4.32, p< 0.001). The reasons of not getting vaccinated were considering the vaccine useless (OR, 2.46; CI, 0.77-3.98; p= 0.01),having concerns about side-effects (OR, 2.14; CI, 0.16-3.25; p= 0.02),and having inadequate knowledge (OR, 7.12; CI, 4.23-12.56; p< 0.001). Men, as compared to women, had a significantly greater rate of considering the vaccine useful (p< 0.001), getting vaccinated during campaigns held by workplaces (p= 0.002), and obtaining information through bills, brochures, or bulletins (p= 0.003). Patients vaccinated with the influenza-vaccine significantly more commonly consider the pneumococcal-vaccine useful (p= 0.02), and they had a significantly greater rateofvaccination with pneumococcal-vaccine (p< 0.001). Conclusion: The vaccination rate remains low. Opinions about the vaccine that had favourable effect on vaccination rate were that the vaccine was beneficial and that it would protect one’s family against the disease. The unvaccinated patients had inadequate knowledge of the vaccine. Obtaining information from a physician boosts vaccination rate. Men having a greater rate of vaccination through campaigns of workplaces as well as a greater rate of being informed can be explained by a higher employment rate in men.