title: Predictive factors associated with the acceptance of pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccination in health care workers and students in Tuscany, Central Italy.
abstract: Assessing the beliefs and attitudes of Health Care Workers (HCW) to influenza and influenza vaccination can be useful in overcoming low compliance rates. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the opinion of HCW and students regarding influenza, influenza vaccine and the factors associated with vaccination compliance. A survey was conducted between October 2010 and April 2011 in the Florence metropolitan area. A questionnaire was administered to HCW in three local healthcare units and at Careggi University Teaching Hospital. Students matriculating in health degree programs at Florence University were also surveyed. The coverage with vaccination against seasonal and pandemic influenza is generally low, and it is lower in students than in HCW (12.5% vs 15% for the seasonal vaccination, 8.5% vs 18% for the pandemic vaccination). Individuals comply with vaccination offer mainly to protect themselves and their contacts. Individuals not receiving vaccination did not consider themselves at risk, had never been vaccinated before or believed that pandemic influenza was not a public health concern. Physicians had the highest compliance to vaccination and women were less frequently vaccinated than men. HCW do not appear to perceive their possible influenza infections as a risk for patients: HCW receive vaccination mainly as a form of personal protection. Low compliance to vaccination is determined by various factors and therefore requires a multi-faceted strategy of response. This should include short-term actions to overcome organizational barriers, in addition to long-term interventions to raise HCW's level of knowledge about influenza and influenza vaccination.
authors: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Florence; Florence, Italy.
authors: Guglielmo
authors: G
authors: Bonaccorsi
authors: Department of Health Science; University of Florence; Florence, Italy.
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Lorini
authors: Department of Health Science; University of Florence; Florence, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Santomauro
authors: School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine; University of Florence; Florence, Italy.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Guarducci
authors: School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine; University of Florence; Florence, Italy.
authors: Elettra
authors: E
authors: Pellegrino
authors: School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine; University of Florence; Florence, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Puggelli
authors: School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine; University of Florence; Florence, Italy.
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Balli
authors: Department of Health Science; University of Florence; Florence, Italy.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Bonanni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058873:Pandemics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: H1N1; attitudes towards vaccine; health care workers; influenza; pandemic; vaccine policy
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