Perception and willingness to obtain influenza vaccination among healthcare staff and elderly group : a case study at the public hospital, Nakhonchaisri District Nakhonpathom Province

Abstract

The first cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection was identified in Mexico and the United States, and spread rapidly on a worldwide.The World Health Organization was recommended to reduce the chances of developing severe illness including vaccination strategies. Objective: To identify the main factors of a willingness to obtain influenza vaccination among healthcare staff and in elderly group. To explore perception about safety and efficacy among health care staff and elderly. To compare the relationship between perceived severity and influenza vaccination among health care staff and elderly This study was a cross sectional research on the target population of thehealthcare staff in the public hospital and elderly group, in Nakhonchaisri district, Nakhonpathom province during the period of April – Aug 2011. The research instrument had 2 questionnaire sets, one for healthcare staffs and another for elderly group. Finding: Most of the respondents (72%) had high level of preventive behavior regarding to influenza. the elderly(44.6%) had moderate level of preventive behavior regarding to influenza. Most of the elderly (58.1%) had low level of knowledge about influenza vaccination.Most of healthcare personal (63.6%) had low level of knowledge about influenza vaccination.Most of healthcare worker (41.3%) had low level of knowledge about influenza vaccination. There were significant between age(P-value 0.008) and history of influenza vaccination(P-value 0.000) with intended to influenza vaccination Most of the subjects concerned about inadequate information about influenza vaccination while most of health care worker concerned about vaccine efficacy. There were significant between perceptions about an Influenza vaccination with intended to influenza vaccination (p-value= 0.014) Therefore, the influenza vaccination should be promote about knowledge of vaccine safety and vaccination.