title: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices about influenza illness and vaccination: a cross-sectional survey in two South African communities.
abstract: Understanding knowledge and sentiment toward influenza and vaccination is important for effective health messages and prevention strategies. We aimed to characterize knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding influenza illness and vaccination in two South African communities and explore reasons for vaccine hesitancy.
  
  
  
  Household primary caregivers in Soweto and Klerksdorp townships were interviewed about knowledge of influenza and intention to receive an influenza vaccine using a structured questionnaire. Factors associated with unwillingness to receive vaccine were explored using multivariable regression.
  
  
  
  We interviewed representatives of 973 households in Soweto and 1,442 in Klerksdorp. Most respondents in Soweto (692, 71%) and Klerksdorp (1247, 87%) thought weather or cold caused influenza. While most would get a free influenza vaccine, those unwilling to receive vaccine had concerns about efficacy (Soweto: 19%; Klerksdorp: 19%) and safety (Soweto: 17%; Klerksdorp: 10%). In Soweto, females (aRR 2·0, 95% CI 1·3-3·2) and those with higher household income (aRR 1·8, 95% CI 1·2-2·7) were less willing to receive vaccine. In Klerksdorp, more educated respondents (aRR 1·6, 95% CI 1·1-2·4) were less willing to receive vaccine; households reporting an HIV-positive member were more willing to receive vaccine (aRR 0·3, 95% CI 0·1-0·8).
  
  
  
  Although findings suggest most community participants were amenable to influenza vaccination, knowledge gaps were present. Emphasizing the importance of influenza as a health problem and addressing vaccine safety and efficacy concerns may improve uptake. Populations less amenable to vaccination, including those with higher education and income, may benefit from targeted messaging efforts.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA, USA.|United States Public Health Service, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Karen K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA, USA.|United States Public Health Service, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Adam L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Shane A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.affiliation: MRC Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.|Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Neil A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Martinson
authors.affiliation: University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.|National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: von Mollendorf
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA, USA.|National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tempia
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Sibongile
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walaza
authors.affiliation: University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.|National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Shabir A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Madhi
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA, USA.|United States Public Health Service, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Meredith L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: McMorrow
authors.affiliation: University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.|Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital Complex, Klerksdorp, South Africa.
authors.forename: Ebrahim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Variava
authors.affiliation: Klerksdorp-Tshepong Hospital Complex, Klerksdorp, South Africa.
authors.forename: Katlego M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Motlhaoleng
authors.affiliation: University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.|National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: Influenza; South Africa; survey; vaccination