title: Using theoretical constructs to identify key issues for targeted message design: African American seniors' perceptions about influenza and influenza vaccination.
abstract: African American seniors (65 and older) are less likely to be vaccinated against influenza than are non-Hispanic White seniors. There is a clear need for targeted messages and interventions to address this disparity. As a first step, 6 focus groups of African American seniors (N = 48) were conducted to identify current perceptions about influenza and influenza vaccination. Emergent thematic categories were organized using the 4 main constructs of the extended parallel process model. Susceptibility varied based on perceptions of individual health status, background knowledge, and age-related risk. Some participants saw influenza as a minor nuisance; others viewed it as threatening and potentially deadly. Participants discussed issues related or antecedent to self-efficacy, including vaccine accessibility and affordability. Regarding response efficacy, some participants had confidence in the vaccine, some questioned its preventive ability or believed that the vaccine caused influenza, and others noted expected side effects. Implications and recommendations for message development are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. k-cameron@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Kenzie A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Lance S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Rintamaki
authors.forename: Mafo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamanda-Kosseh
authors.forename: Gary A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Noskin
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Makoul
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines