Motivators and barriers to vaccination of health professionals against seasonal influenza in primary healthcare

Davorina Petek,Kristina Kamnik-Jug

doi:10.1186/s12913-018-3659-8

Davorina Petek, Kristina Kamnik-Jug

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3659-8

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Abstract

BackgroundOver the last decade, the vaccination rates amongst the general population in Slovenia were declining. According to the World Health Organisation, the vaccination rates amongst healthcare workers are also low throughout Europe. The aim of this study was to evaluate vaccination rates for seasonal flu amongst healthcare workers on the primary care level in the Koroška region and to find motivators and barriers for vaccination.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, an anonymous questionnaire was distributed to all health centres, nursing homes and private contractors, who agreed to participate. Out of 334 distributed questionnaires, 250 (74.8%) were analysed. Bivariate and multivariable statistical analyses were conducted.ResultsOnly 12% of included health professionals were vaccinated in the 2014/15 season. The main motivators for vaccination coverage were: awareness of high risk of infection at the workplace, self-protection and protection of family members and co-workers. The main barriers for vaccination were doubt in the effectiveness of the vaccine, fear of side effects and the belief that health professionals are not at high risk of influenza infection. In the multivariable model, a positive association was found between the vaccination, older age and belief in the effectiveness against influenza, while a negative association was found between the nurses’ profession and vaccination.ConclusionThe trend of declining rates for seasonal influenza vaccination is continuing. Protection of the patients was not among the most important reasons for vaccination. This especially endangers clients of nursing homes. The recognized motivators, barriers and other factors that were important for vaccination coverage/hesitancy could be used for designing strategies and educational programmes for health professionals to improve the vaccination coverage rates. The strategy should include the specifics of health profession groups.

Highlights

IntroductionThe vaccination rates amongst the general population in Slovenia were declining
Over the last decade, the vaccination rates amongst the general population in Slovenia were declining
Sample description Four hundred and eighty nine primary health professionals from the national list of healthcare professionals in the Koroška region were invited to participate in the study

Summary

Introduction

The vaccination rates amongst the general population in Slovenia were declining. According to the World Health Organisation, the vaccination rates amongst healthcare workers are low throughout Europe. The aim of this study was to evaluate vaccination rates for seasonal flu amongst healthcare workers on the primary care level in the Koroška region and to find motivators and barriers for vaccination. Seasonal influenza causes an overload of medical services on all levels of medical care and a high influx of patients admitted into hospital. Vaccination is the most important public health measure for the prevention of seasonal and pandemic flu. Vaccination aims to reduce the population’s illness rate, the number of patients treated in hospitals and the mortality rate due to influenza complications. Vaccination of health professionals is a way of maintaining full functionality of the healthcare system and protecting the patients during an epidemic or pandemic [1]

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