Knowledge Of Seasonal Influenza Research Articles

Combating the Co-Circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and Seasonal Influenza: Identifying Multi-Dimensional Factors Associated with the Uptake of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine among a Chinese National Sample.

The co-circulation of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza highlighted the importance of promoting influenza vaccination. However, the influenza vaccination rate among the Chinese population is low and requires further promotion. This study examined multi-dimensional factors, such as knowledge of seasonal influenza, health perceptions, cues to action, patient-provider relationships, and COVID-19 pandemic-related factors, in relation to the uptake of the seasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) among the Chinese population. A cross-sectional, self-administered online survey using a quota sampling method was conducted among Chinese adults 18 years and older between June and August 2022. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to explore factors associated with the 2021 SIV behavior. A total of 3161 individuals from different regions of China were included in this study. The multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that perceived severity of influenza, perceived barriers to taking SIV, cues to action, a stable relationship with providers, worry about contracting COVID-19 in immunization settings, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), and awareness of the influenza vaccine in protecting against COVID-19 were significantly associated with the SIV uptake. This study examined multi-dimensional factors that may influence SIV uptake. Health promotion programs should incorporate multi-dimensional factors, including personal and environmental factors, related to SIV promotion during the co-circulation period.

Influenza Vaccination in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: Coverage Status and Its Determinants in Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

Despite the significant role of seasonal influenza vaccination in preventing and minimizing the serious complications of influenza infection in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, unsatisfactory compliance still exists for vaccination. Study objectives were to explore the vaccination status and determinants in T2DM patients in southwestern Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study on a representative sample of T2DM patients in Abha city, southwestern Saudi Arabia, was conducted. Data for sociodemographic characteristics, clinical criteria, vaccination status, vaccination motivators and barriers and seasonal influenza knowledge were collected. Out of 353 T2DM patients included in the study, seasonal influenza vaccination coverage was 61% in year 2017. A significant factors associated with non-vaccination were; poor influenza and its vaccine knowledge (OR = 4.31, 95% CI: 2.73–6.80), illiteracy (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.11–3.37), and more than 10 years disease duration (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.11–3.87). Presence of family history of DM and ischemic heart comorbidity minimized the possibility of non-vaccination (OR = 0.54 and 0.28 respectively). Healthcare givers’ advice was the most reported vaccination motivator (84.7%) while; fear of vaccine side effects was the most stated barrier (73%). In conclusion, influenza vaccination rate among T2DM in the present study is less than the recommended level. Continuous primary health care center-based educational programs should be implemented to aware and encourage influenza vaccination among T2DM patients.

Australian general practice nurse's knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding influenza vaccination: a cross-sectional survey.

The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Australian general practice nurses (GPNs) regarding influenza vaccination. Despite the evidence for the benefits of influenza vaccination, vaccination rates remain sub-optimal. The knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses both affects vaccination rates and the advice given to consumers. Given their significant role in opportunistic and planned vaccinations, GPNs are in an optimal position to positively influence vaccination rates. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used. GPNs were recruited by email to complete an online survey. The survey tool comprised the King's College Nurses' Influenza Vaccination Questionnaire and adapted demographic items. Data analysis used descriptive and inferential statistics. Open-ended questions were analysed using thematic analysis. Most of the 85 respondents had received the seasonal influenza vaccination in the last year (n=67; 78·8%); fewer received the H1N1 vaccination (n=54; 63·5%). Intention to receive vaccination was affected by previous vaccination. Those who had received the seasonal influenza vaccine in the last year had a higher total knowledge score. The seasonal and total influenza knowledge score was high, with lower scores on the H1N1 sub-scale. A positive correlation was identified between influenza knowledge and risk perception. This study highlighted the high level of knowledge amongst GPNs related to seasonal influenza, whilst identifying a knowledge deficit around the H1N1 items. It demonstrated that GPN's knowledge of seasonal influenza was related to vaccination status and risk perception. Further research is required to explore how this translates into the advice GPNs give to consumers. Influenza vaccination should be considered as a key topic for GPNs ongoing professional development. The evidence for links between education and vaccination uptake should encourage employers to facilitate opportunities for this training. Future efforts to increase vaccination uptake in nurses should promote the benefits of vaccination in protecting the individual rather than as a professional responsibility.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices and influencing factors related to seasonal influenza vaccination among health-care workers in Qingdao, China, 2013–14: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundSeasonal influenza vaccination among health-care workers can prevent influenza infection among patients in health-care settings. The aim of this study was to investigate the awareness and knowledge of seasonal influenza and the influenza vaccine among health-care workers and to analyse factors affecting vaccination among health personnel to formulate targeted strategies to increase vaccination. MethodsWe used cluster sampling to select eight health institutions in Qingdao, China. A prospective cohort study was conducted in November, 2013 (before flu season), and the random follow-up survey was in June, 2014 (after flu season). Eligible participants were health-care workers (aged 18–65 years), full-time employees providing direct patient care. All individuals signed the agreement of the informed ethics letter before the survey. We applied χ2-test and logistic regression to analyse factors influencing vaccination. FindingsBetween November, 2013, and May, 2014, we recruited 1852 eligible health-care workers, of whom 1301 (70%) completed the cohort study. At the post-influenza-season follow-up survey, 63 (5%) health-care workers reported receiving influenza vaccination during the prior influenza season. The main reason for not being vaccinated, given by 412 (43%) unvaccinated respondents, was concerns about side-effects. Among all health-care workers who completed the pre-season survey, 258 (21%) health-care workers responded correctly to a question about how long the influenza virus remains alive in the air, 557 (43%) believed the influenza vaccine was safe, 113 (9%) believed they could become infected with influenza due to vaccination, and 216 (17%) thought they would likely get vaccinated in the upcoming season. Pre-season vaccination intention was higher in the vaccinated group than the non-vaccinated group. In multivariate analysis, factors increasing vaccination included working in a primary-care level hospital, prior vaccination history, a more positive attitude towards vaccination, and a greater vaccination intention in the pre-season. InterpretationThe influenza vaccination rate among health-care workers in Qingdao is low. Among all health-care workers, vaccination intention in the pre-influenza season was weak, and knowledge about influenza transmission and the safety and side-effects of influenza vaccination was poor. Health-care education focusing on safety and importance of seasonal influenza vaccine might increase vaccination coverage in this group. FundingCooperative Agreement Number U2G/GH000961, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.

Pandemic flu knowledge among dormitory housed university students: a need for informal social support and social networking strategies

The declaration of a Phase 6 pandemic of influenza A (H1N1) by the World Health Organization in June 2009, triggered the activation of preparedness responses worldwide. During 2009 spring and fall, many US universities actuated their emergency pandemic preparedness plans. This article describes a research study that used a modified community based participatory research (CBPR) approach between August and November 2009 at New Mexico State University's main Las Cruces campus to determine influenza (pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 and seasonal influenza knowledge, attitudes, and health communication (informal support networks and social networking) strategies specifically related to influenza among dormitory housed (on-campus living) undergraduate students. The goal was to produce data for use in the university's pandemic illness/disaster preparedness and response plans. Following activation of the university's campus-wide efforts to educate students about pandemic flu, university community partners were asked for input regarding information for flu preparedness for the university's undergraduate students. Student participants were recruited for the present study from those housed in four campus dormitories. A purposive convenience sample was used to collect survey data from 175 students during the peak week of reported flu cases on campus. Each participant was given an anonymous, face-to-face, self-administered survey and 167 surveys were able to be analyzed. A χ² goodness of fit test was used to determine whether observed proportions of categorical variables differed from hypothesized proportions. Four categorical data were analyzed by topics: (1) demographics; (2) flu awareness; (3) flu immunization knowledge and practices; and (4) communication and health information practices. The average age was 19.6 years (SD = 1.8), with no significant differences by sex (86 males and 76 females, 5 undisclosed) or race/ethnicity (57 White, 43 Hispanic, 44 Other). All questions were tested with χ² against sex, race, and dormitory; however, only three questions revealed statistically significant differences by any of these demographic categories. Sex, race, age, and dormitory were demonstrated to have little impact on H1N1 health practices and knowledge. Three-quarters of students surveyed demonstrated awareness of the pandemic 2009 H1N1 flu. Despite public health and university health education campaigns, approximately 25% were not aware of the virus. Most students stated that they knew someone who had flu during the year, even if they had not. Students did not perceive (60%) dormitory living to be a greater health risk, even though the proximal distance among students diminishes by sharing bathrooms and sleeping quarters. Three main factors affected the students' knowledge, attitudes and behaviors: faculty attitudes and influenza knowledge; low levels of flu like illnesses at the university; and the utilization of health education strategies inconsistent with the mechanisms students use to gain health information (informal support networks and electronic social networking). Failure to utilize these student information mechanisms may result in less than optimal health education effectiveness. Health educators should ensure that identifiable intermediaries (eg faculty) understand and assist in health education efforts. However, the incidence of H1N1 at this university was relatively low, which may have affected the research results.

Pandemic Dynamics and the Breakdown of Herd Immunity

In this note we discuss the issues involved in attempting to model pandemic dynamics. More specifically, we show how it may be possible to make projections for the ongoing H1N1 pandemic as extrapolated from knowledge of seasonal influenza. We derive first-approximation parameter estimates for the SIR model to describe seasonal influenza, and then explore the implications of the existing classical epidemiological theory for the case of a pandemic virus. In particular, we note the dramatic nonlinear increase in attack rate as a function of the percentage of susceptibles initially present in the population. This has severe consequences for the pandemic, given the general lack of immunity in the global population.

Pandemic influenza dynamics and the breakdown of herd immunity

Few if any attempts have been made to derive forecasts for the ongoing H1N1 pandemic as extrapolated from knowledge of seasonal influenza. Even simple back-of-the-envelope calculations are lacking. In this note we use first-approximation parameter estimates for the SIR model to compare seasonal and pandemic influenza, and then explore the implications of the existing classical epidemiological theory. In particular, we note the dramatic nonlinear increase in attack rate as a function of the percentage of susceptibles initially present in the population. This has severe consequences for the pandemic, given the general lack of immunity in the global population.