BACKGROUND: In 2000, the UK Departments of Health recommended influenza immunization to employees directly involved in patient care. Uptake of this immunization had tended to be variable and usually low. AIMS: To assess personal and organizational factors associated with influenza immunization uptake among Health Care Workers (HCWs). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of all HCWs within the Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland and a parallel-group study of nursing staff within Elderly Care using self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: Of 203 nurses working in elderly care units 76(37%) were immunized and 127(63%) declined. Almost 70% of those not immunized perceived themselves to be 'healthy' and gave this reason for declining immunization. Nurses were more likely to be immunized by a factor of four if they believed there was benefit for healthy HCWs, three if they felt at-risk of contracting influenza and nine on a recommendation from the occupational health (OH) unit. Fifteen OH units participated in a survey of HCWs at the time of immunization. Five thousand two hundred and thirty (9.7%) HCWs were immunized. Increased uptake was correlated with immunization in area of work (r=0.74, P=0.02) and when provided out of hours (r=0.83; P<0.001) and by a factor of two with individual targeting of availability (P<0.001) and when individuals had been previously immunized (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Uptake of influenza immunization is low. Attitudes to one's health and to the value of influenza immunization affect the uptake as does the delivery of the immunization programme.
BACKGROUND: In 2000, the UK Departments of Health recommended influenza immunization to employees directly involved in patient care. Uptake of this immunization had tended to be variable and usually low. AIMS: To assess personal and organizational factors associated with influenza immunization uptake among Health Care Workers (HCWs). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of all HCWs within the Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland and a parallel-group study of nursing staff within Elderly Care using self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: Of 203 nurses working in elderly care units 76(37%) were immunized and 127(63%) declined. Almost 70% of those not immunized perceived themselves to be 'healthy' and gave this reason for declining immunization. Nurses were more likely to be immunized by a factor of four if they believed there was benefit for healthy HCWs, three if they felt at-risk of contracting influenza and nine on a recommendation from the occupational health (OH) unit. Fifteen OH units participated in a survey of HCWs at the time of immunization. Five thousand two hundred and thirty (9.7%) HCWs were immunized. Increased uptake was correlated with immunization in area of work (r=0.74, P=0.02) and when provided out of hours (r=0.83; P<0.001) and by a factor of two with individual targeting of availability (P<0.001) and when individuals had been previously immunized (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Uptake of influenza immunization is low. Attitudes to one's health and to the value of influenza immunization affect the uptake as does the delivery of the immunization programme.
Authors: Rose Wilson; Dimitri Scronias; Anna Zaytseva; Marie-Ange Ferry; Patrick Chamboredon; Eve Dubé; Pierre Verger Journal: Hum Vaccin Immunother Date: 2019-04-04 Impact factor: 3.452
Authors: Julia Smedley; Jason Poole; Eugene Waclawski; Anthony Stevens; John Harrison; John Watson; Andrew Hayward; David Coggon Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2006-12-20 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Ingrid Looijmans-van den Akker; Marlies E Hulscher; Theo Jm Verheij; Josien Riphagen-Dalhuisen; Johan Jm van Delden; Eelko Hak Journal: Implement Sci Date: 2011-05-19 Impact factor: 7.327
Authors: Siang I Lee; Ei M Aung; Ik S Chin; Jeremy W Hing; Sanghamitra Mummadi; Ghunavadee D Palaniandy; Rachel Jordan Journal: Influenza Res Treat Date: 2012-11-28