PIN95 PATIENT KNOWLEDGE ABOUT VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES: BASELINE RESULTS OF THE VACCINE EDUCATION THROUGH PHARMACISTS AND SENIOR CENTERS (VEPSC) TRIAL

Abstract

Older adults experience low zoster and pneumonia vaccination rates, especially among minorities. Engaging patients in education about vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases may be an important factor in increasing vaccine uptake. Vaccine Education through Pharmacists and Senior Centers (VEPSC) is a vaccine education trial of older adults being completed in senior community centers. Aim of VEPSC is to test effectiveness of didactic pharmacist-delivered education (PHARM) versus interactive peer-led small group education (PEER) in improving knowledge and beliefs about vaccination for zoster, influenza, and pneumonia. Purpose of this analysis is to present baseline knowledge results. VEPSC was conducted through Delaware Valley senior community centers from Fall 2017-Fall 2018. Participants completed knowledge and beliefs questionnaires at baseline, immediately post-program, and one month post-program. Knowledge scores were calculated as number of correct answers (max total score=22; max subitem scores for zoster, influenza, and pneumonia were 8, 7, and 7 respectively); baseline knowledge results were compared by race (Caucasian vs. other) via Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test and by group via ANOVA. Baseline sample had 280 participants (127 PEER, 153 PHARM). Groups were similar for all demographics except race: PEER was predominantly African-American (81.9%); PHARM was 45.1% African-American, 39.9% Caucasian (p<0.0001). Caucasians had statistically higher mean baseline knowledge than other races: total knowledge score (13.51 vs. 10.79, p<0.0001), zoster (4.71 vs. 3.49, p<0.0001), influenza (5.20 vs. 4.39, p=0.0007), pneumonia (3.60 vs. 2.91, p=0.014). Baseline mean total knowledge score and pneumonia subscore differed by group with PEER scoring higher than PHARM for both (total 11.74 PEER vs. 10.99 PHARM, p=0.0196; pneumonia 3.25 PEER vs. 2.91 PHARM, p=0.0197). Baseline mean zoster and influenza subscores did not statistically differ by group (zoster 3.87 PEER vs. 3.63 PHARM; influenza 4.62 PEER vs. 4.45 PHARM). Significant opportunity exists to improve older adults’ knowledge of vaccine-preventable diseases through a senior community center model.