tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Am Coll Health
. 2022 Feb 15;1-7.
doi: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2032092. Online ahead of print.
Exploring strategies to increase college students' motivation to receive their annual influenza vaccine
Kelsey R Habighorst[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Lisa M Cillessen[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Heather M Taylor[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Jerilyn J Reed[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Paul O Gubbins[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate college students' awareness of an educational initiative to increase campus influenza vaccination rates and strategies to improve it.
Participants: Students attending a large public comprehensive university.
Methods: An investigator-developed, online survey evaluated awareness of the initiative, the students' perception of incentives, and other motivations to receive seasonal influenza vaccine.
Results: The vaccination rate was 43%, despite low awareness of the initiative (28%). Awareness was significantly higher among vaccinated students (p = 0.0013). Having knowledge that appointments to receive vaccine were not needed increased the motivation of vaccinated students more than unvaccinated students (p = 0.0001). Personal influencers increased motivation of vaccinated students only when they were aware of the initiative (p = 0.04). Tangible incentives did not motivate students.
Conclusions: Campus vaccination rates increased despite low initiative awareness. Improvements to the initiative should include strategies to increase emphasis on vaccination program conveniences like accessibility and perhaps engage personal influencers more.
Keywords: Flu risk perception; college students; health education; influenza vaccination; influenza vaccine.
. 2022 Feb 15;1-7.
doi: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2032092. Online ahead of print.
Exploring strategies to increase college students' motivation to receive their annual influenza vaccine
Kelsey R Habighorst[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Lisa M Cillessen[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Heather M Taylor[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Jerilyn J Reed[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Paul O Gubbins[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 35166641
- DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2032092
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate college students' awareness of an educational initiative to increase campus influenza vaccination rates and strategies to improve it.
Participants: Students attending a large public comprehensive university.
Methods: An investigator-developed, online survey evaluated awareness of the initiative, the students' perception of incentives, and other motivations to receive seasonal influenza vaccine.
Results: The vaccination rate was 43%, despite low awareness of the initiative (28%). Awareness was significantly higher among vaccinated students (p = 0.0013). Having knowledge that appointments to receive vaccine were not needed increased the motivation of vaccinated students more than unvaccinated students (p = 0.0001). Personal influencers increased motivation of vaccinated students only when they were aware of the initiative (p = 0.04). Tangible incentives did not motivate students.
Conclusions: Campus vaccination rates increased despite low initiative awareness. Improvements to the initiative should include strategies to increase emphasis on vaccination program conveniences like accessibility and perhaps engage personal influencers more.
Keywords: Flu risk perception; college students; health education; influenza vaccination; influenza vaccine.