Factors and barriers influencing influenza vaccination among students at Brigham Young University.
BACKGROUND
To identify the prevalence of influenza vaccination and factors associated with vaccination among students at Brigham Young University.


METHODS
A Cross-sectional survey of seven general education classes, size 30 to 200 students each, was conducted the week of November 25, 2007. A 34 item paper-pencil questionnaire was administered, taking 5-10 minutes to complete. The response rate was 90%, with 421 completed surveys.


RESULTS
Prevalence of influenza vaccination was 12% in the current influenza season. Influenza vaccination was significantly influenced by place of work, frequency of being around children, place of residence, and selected area of academic study. Students that received the influenza vaccination were more motivated by perceived severity of influenza than by perceived risk of contracting the illness. Physicians or nurses were the most influential at encouraging influenza vaccination, followed by parents, then the university or student health center, and then the media. The percentage of students that received influenza vaccination information from physicians or nurses was 14%, from parents was 15%, from the student health center was 25%, and from the general media was 45%.


CONCLUSIONS
Influenza vaccination is low among college students, but impacted by perceived severity of the illness, place of employment or residence, and who encourages influenza vaccination.
Merrill
Ray M
RM
Department of Health Science, College of Health and Human Performance, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA. ray_merrill@byu.edu
Kelley
Taylor A
TA
Cox
Erin
E
Layman
Annah B
AB
Layton
Bradley J
BJ
Lindsay
Ryan
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
D007252:Influenza Vaccines