Impact of video-led educational intervention on the uptake of influenza vaccine among adults aged 60\u2009years and above in China: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Pengchao Li,Minghuan Jiang,Wenjing Ji,Fulei Du,Krizzia Lambojon,Panpan Zhai,Yifan Huang,Zhitong Feng,Xuelin Yao,Yilin Gong,Hanri Xiao,Yu Fang,Yamin Zou,Khezar Hayat,Zhaojing Pu,Li Shi,Jinghua Hua

doi:10.1186/s12889-021-10220-1

Abstract

BackgroundInfluenza is a global health threat to older adults, and the influenza vaccine is the most effective approach to prevent influenza infection. However, influenza vaccination coverage among Chinese older adults is far less than in developed countries such as the United States (4.0% vs. 64.9%). This study aims to increase influenza vaccination coverage in Chinese adults ≥60 years using a video-led educational intervention conducted by medical students.MethodsA cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted in 4 districts of Xi’an city, Shaanxi Province, China, using a stratified sampling approach. Adults aged ≥60 years will be recruited from 8 community hospitals. A self-administered questionnaire of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) will be employed to record the KAP score. During the 6-month interventional period, participants in the intervention group will receive educational videos focused on influenza and influenza vaccination, coupled with a group discussion conducted by the medical students. For those in the control group, no intervention will be provided. The outcomes measured in both groups will be the influenza vaccination coverage and the KAP scores of all participants.DiscussionMedical students are more likely to educate older adults about scientific knowledge of influenza and its vaccine compared to clinical practitioners, who, most of the time, remain over-occupied due to the extensive workload. Video-led counseling and education could be a useful option to optimize older adults’ understanding of influenza and influenza vaccination. This eventually could improve the uptake of influenza vaccine among Chinese older adults.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry; ChiCTR2000034330; Registered 3rd July 2019.

Highlights

Influenza is a global health threat to older adults, and the influenza vaccine is the most effective approach to prevent influenza infection
This study aims at improving knowledge on influenza and increasing the uptake of influenza vaccination in older adults using a video-led intervention coupled with a group discussion conducted by medical students
A self-designed KAP questionnaire will be used to assess the difference between knowledge, attitudes, and practice between the intervention group and the control group

Summary

Introduction

Influenza is a global health threat to older adults, and the influenza vaccine is the most effective approach to prevent influenza infection. This study aims to increase influenza vaccination coverage in Chinese adults ≥60 years using a video-led educational intervention conducted by medical students. Influenza vaccination, which is the most effective measure to prevent influenza, can effectively reduce the rate of hospitalization and deaths owing to influenzaassociated severe acute respiratory infection [7,8,9]. It may produce indirect herd protection for the unvaccinated population in communities [10]. Numerous studies have illustrated influenza vaccination as a cost-effective strategy from the societal perspective to limit influenza progression [11, 12]

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