Understanding why low-risk patients accept vaccines: a socio-behavioral approach

Timothy L Wiemken,Ruth M Carrico,Paula Peyrani,Robert R Kelley,Kimbal D Ford,Laura E Binford,Julio A Ramirez,Verna Welch

doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1816-2

Timothy L Wiemken, Ruth M Carrico + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-015-1816-2

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Abstract

BackgroundVaccines are one of the most important public health interventions. Understanding factors associated with vaccine acceptance is critical. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of the three constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on the intention to be vaccinated among healthy individuals being seen for pre-travel care, and to evaluate if behavioral intention was associated with vaccine acceptance.MethodsWe surveyed individuals seeking vaccination at the University of Louisville Vaccine and International Health and Travel Clinic. Linear and two stage least squares regression models were used to define the associations between constructs of the TPB and the intention to be vaccinated, as well as the association between the intention to be vaccinated and vaccine acceptance.ResultsA total of 183 individuals were included in the analysis. None of the constructs of the TPB were associated with intention to be vaccinated. Behavioral intention was not associated with vaccination acceptance.ConclusionsThis study suggests that the TPB does not predict the intention to get vaccinated among individuals attending our Vaccine and International Health and Travel Clinic. It will be critical to define better predictors of vaccine uptake in healthy, low-risk individuals to increase vaccine acceptance.

Highlights

Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions
The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), has been used to identify factors associated with the intention to perform a behavior, including being immunized
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of the three constructs of the TPB on the intention to be vaccinated in healthy individuals being seen for care at a Vaccine and International Travel Clinic, and to evaluate if behavioral intention was associated with actual vaccine acceptance

Summary

Introduction

Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions. Understanding factors associated with vaccine acceptance is critical. The development of behavioral theories has greatly facilitated our understanding of the health behavior of the community through allowing systematic approaches to behavioral research [2] One such theory, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), has been used to identify factors associated with the intention to perform a behavior, including being immunized. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), has been used to identify factors associated with the intention to perform a behavior, including being immunized According to this theory, a health behavior can be predicted based on the individuals intention to perform the behavior [3, 4]. There are three major constructs theorized to predict the outcome of the model, “behavioral intention” These three constructs include: (1) attitude, (2) subjective norms, and (3) perceived behavioral control. Each of these constructs can be measured using previously validated approaches [5], understanding that each construct is the perception of the individual under study and not necessarily what

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