title: [Factors associated with willingness to be vaccinated against pandemic flu A/H1N1 in the adult population of the Health Department of Elche (Spain)].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To assess, in the general population, the information sources, attitudes and willingness to be vaccinated against pandemic influenza A/H1N1 in 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out a cross sectional study between 25th November and 30th December 2009, through face to face interviews with a random sample (826) of adults resident in the Health Department of Elche (Spain).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents reported that television (57%) and the family doctor (47.9%) were their main sources of information about vaccinations. Eighty-two point two percent had a good opinion of vaccinations, 30.5% perceived A/H1N1 to be more severe than seasonal flu, with a higher rate among older and less educated people. Twenty-five point four percent of respondents were concerned about contracting it, especially among the less educated. Forty-two point one percent expressed their willingness to be vaccinated against seasonal flu. Eighteen point four percent intended to be vaccinated against A/H1N1. The bias towards vaccination increases with age and in the case of A/H1N1 decreases among more educated people. The family doctor was the main source of information when people wanted to be immunized against seasonal flu (OR = 1.43) and A/H1N1 (OR = 2.47).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low acceptance of the pandemic vaccination and low perceived severity of influenza A/H1N1. Previous vaccination experience with seasonal flu creates a predisposition to immunization against A/H1N1. Although the media were the leading source of information during this period, the family doctor's influence on their decision to be vaccinated was significant.
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Vacunología «Balmis» UA-CSISP, Universidadde Alicante, Centro Superior de Investigación enSalud Pública, Valencia. tuells@ua.es
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tuells
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caballero
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nolasco
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montagud
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058873:Pandemics; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines