[Population-based cross sectional study about vaccine acceptability and perception of the severity of A/H1N1 influenza: opinion of the general population and health professionals].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the intention of general population and health professionals to vaccinate against the H1N1 influenza A virus. To determine the perception of severity of the H1N1 influenza A in both groups compared to that of seasonal influenza.


METHODS
Cross-sectional telephone survey performed to a sample of population (obtained randomly from the Vitoria-Gasteiz telephone directory) and cross-sectional electronically-administered survey to a sample of health professionals from public health centres in Vitoria-Gasteiz, conducted between 6th and 16th November 2009. The relative and absolute frecuency of persons willing to be vaccinated and the proportion of those considering the H1N1 influenza A as a life-threatening risk were calculated in both groups.


RESULTS
219 (33%) persons out of 637 contacted telephone numbers answered the questionnaire, as well as 109 health professionals. 63.0% (n=138) of general population and 73.4% (n=80) of the professional group would not undergo vaccination, even if it was for free (p=0.595). If belonging to a high-risk group, the corresponding proportions of unwillingness were 14.6% (n=32) for general population and 40.4 (n=44) for professionals (p<0.001). The proportion of undecided persons is 25.6% (n=56) in general population, against 6.4% (n=7) among the professionals.


CONCLUSIONS
At the beginning of the vaccination campaign, the majority of population is unwilling to undergo immunization against the H1N1 influenza A virus. The proportion in general population is similar to that among the health professionals. However, when belonging to a high-risk group, there is a high proportion of undecided persons in general population.
Unidad de Investigación de Alava, Alava, España.
Antxon
A
Apiñaniz
Amanda
A
López-Picado
Erika
E
Miranda-Serrano
Amaia
A
Latorre
Raquel
R
Cobos
Naiara
N
Parraza-Díez
Patricia
P
Amezua
Mónica
M
Martínez-Cengotitabengoa
Felipe
F
Aizpuru
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011639:Public Opinion; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D007252:Influenza Vaccines