title: The Impact of Patient's Socio-Demographic Characterictics, Comorbidities and Attitudes on Flu Vaccination Uptake in Family Practice Settings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Slovenia, the role of family physicians in primary care and preventive procedures is very important. Influenza vaccination rates in Slovenia are low. The reasons for low vaccination rates in Slovenia were not clear. We suppose that patient's beliefs and attitudes are important factors. We assessed patients' opinions regarding the acceptance of flu vaccination by their family physicians and their beliefs and attitudes about flu and vaccination. The aim was to check out factors that influence the decision to take the vaccine in family physician offices.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study in the Styria region in Slovenia. We included patients from seven family physicians during regular office visits. They filled in a questionnaire about their general demographic data and attitudes regarding influenza and vaccination. The main outcome was the decision to be vaccinated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The logistic regression model identified five predictors for influenza vaccination, namely: heart disease, previous vaccination, an agreement with the beliefs 'the vaccination is an efficient measure to prevent influenza', 'after the vaccination there are usually no important side effects' and 'the vaccination is also recommended for a healthy adult person'. The belief that vaccinations harm the immune system is negatively associated with vaccination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients' beliefs are an important factor to decide for vaccination or not. Family physician teams should discuss with patients their beliefs and concerns about vaccination.
authors.affiliation: University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Taborska ul. 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Andrej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kravos
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Poljanski nasip 58, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Lucija
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kračun
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva c. 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Klara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kravos
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Poljanski nasip 58, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Rade
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iljaž
keywords: attitudes; chronic diseases; family practice; influenza; vaccination