Attitudes of Nursing Home Staff towards Influenza Vaccination: Opinions and Factors Influencing Hesitancy

Francesca Moretti, Donatella Visentin, Elena Bovolenta, Michela Rimondini, Silvia Majori, Mariangela Mazzi, Albino Poli, Stefano Tardivo and Emanuele Torri
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Francesca Moretti: Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Donatella Visentin: Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Elena Bovolenta: Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Michela Rimondini: Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Silvia Majori: Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Mariangela Mazzi: Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Albino Poli: Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Stefano Tardivo: Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Emanuele Torri: Department of Health and Social Policy, Autonomous Province of Trento, 38121 Trent, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-15

Abstract: Seasonal influenza is recognized to be a significant public health problem and a cause of death, especially in fragile persons. In nursing homes (NHs), vaccination for both residents and staff is the best preventive strategy. However, professionals’ immunization rates are far from reaching the international recommended values. This study aims to describe the adherence and attitudes of NH staff towards flu vaccination and to explore staff hesitancy. A questionnaire was developed based on a literature review and on the 3Cs (confidence, complacency, convenience) of the WHO framework and administered among the staff of four NHs of a province in the northeast of Italy. Results demonstrated a low adherence towards annual vaccination (i.e., only 3% declared getting the flu vaccination each year). Complacency, confidence and convenience all showed a significant impact on the attitude towards vaccination both in univariate and multivariable analysis, with complacency being the most strongly associated area. The area of confidence resulted in strongly challenging factors. Only 24.8% of interviewees appeared trustful towards the efficacy of receiving immunization and 34% declared safety issues. Insights from the study can support the implementation of effective interventions to improve vaccination adherence in NHs. Specifically, increasing complacency by raising awareness related to the risks of influenza appears to be an essential strategy to effectively promote vaccination uptake.

Keywords: flu vaccination; staff hesitancy; nursing home; immunization promotion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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