Influenza vaccine acceptance and health beliefs among Korean kidney transplant patients

Abstract

ABSTRACTKidney transplantation (KT) patients are at a higher risk than the general population for influenza virus infection. Although vaccination is primarily recommended for KT patients, little is known about the influenza vaccination rate and related health beliefs in South Korea. The influence of health beliefs on influenza vaccination among KT patients has never been explored. This study aimed to identify influenza vaccine acceptance and association with health beliefs among KT patients. A total of 180 patients who underwent a KT were recruited from an organ transplant center in Korea. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, which were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. Approximately 47.2% of the participants received influenza vaccination. Previous influenza vaccination, lower perceived barriers, higher perceived benefits, older age, and longer duration after transplantation influenced influenza vaccine acceptance. The results suggest that various strategies are needed for increasing acceptance of influenza vaccination among KT patients. Getting vaccinated for influenza after KT might be crucial for the annual vaccinations. Improving benefits and decreasing barriers perceived by KT patients may contribute to increasing the acceptance. Education on influenza vaccination should be emphasized particularly for young patients under 45 years and up to 10 years after KT.