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Aging Clin Exp Res. 2019 Oct 12. doi: 10.1007/s40520-019-01367-4. [Epub ahead of print] Predictors of influenza vaccination among elderly: a cross-sectional survey in Greece.
Dardalas I1, Pourzitaki C2, Manomenidis G3, Malliou F1, Galanis P4, Papazisis G1, Kouvelas D1, Bellali T5.
Author information
1 Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124, Thessalon?ki, Greece. 2 Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124, Thessalon?ki, Greece. chpour@gmail.com. 3 General Hospital of Ptolemaida, 50200, Ptolemaida, Kozani, Greece. 4 Center for Health Services Management and Evaluation, Faculty of Nursing, Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. 5 Faculty of Nursing, "Alexander" Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Thessalon?ki, Greece.
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 AND METHODS:
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.
KEYWORDS:
Elderly; Influenza vaccination; Influenza vaccine; Theory of planned behavior
PMID: 31606859 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-019-01367-4