[Influenza vaccination of nurses in an Italian pediatric hospital: effects on absenteeism and on costs, factors associated with vaccine uptake and analysis of personal motivations. A prospective cohort study].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects on absenteeism and on costs for the health care system (HCS) of influenza vaccination offered to nurses in a paediatric hospital; the factors associated with vaccination acceptance and non-acceptance; the motivations of vaccine-recipient and non-recipient nurses.


METHODS
Cohort study. During the 2005-2006 influenza season we observed the entire nurse population of a Paediatric Hospital (n = 327) who were offered influenza vaccination at no cost at the working place. An anonymous questionnaire was also administered.


RESULTS
Vaccination rate was 30.3%. Mean days of sick leave of vaccinated nurses (3.4 per 100 calendar days) and non vaccinated nurses (4.5 per 100 calendar days) differed but not significantly. The saving for HCS due to vaccination of less than 1/3 of nurses was equal to 0.67 nurse-years. Age > or = 40 years (RR 1.47, p = 0.01), length of service > or = 20 years (RR 1.81, p = 0.0003) and working in oncology ward (RR 2.09, p = 0.002) were predictors of adhesion to the vaccination campaign. Among motivations given for vaccination were: not to transmit influenza to hospitalised children (62.8%), to avoid getting sick (55.6%), to protect own family members (49.4%). Only 34% of vaccinated nurses would have made vaccination even if not offered for free. Among non-recipients' main motivations were: vaccination is unnecessary (62.4%), no trust in its efficacy (8.8%). No differences were found in the incidence of influenza symptoms reported by vaccinated and non vaccinated nurses.


CONCLUSIONS
The utility of influenza vaccination to reduce absenteeism of nurses remains unclear. Strategies for influenza vaccination campaigns should particularly address younger nurses and should take into account the beliefs of each nurse in regards to own health.
Festini
Filippo
F
Università di Firenze, Dipartimento di Pediatria, Sezione di Scienze delle Professioni Sonitorie, Firenze.
Biermann
Klaus Peter
KP
Neri
Stella
S
Reali
Maria Francesca
MF
de Martino
Maurizio
M
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018582:Sick Leave; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D007252:Influenza Vaccines