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Journal article

Evaluating the importance of policy amenable factors in explaining influenza vaccination: a cross-sectional multinational study

Abstract:

Objectives

Despite continuous efforts to improve influenza vaccination coverage, uptake among highrisk groups remains suboptimal. We aimed to identify policy amenable factors associated with vaccination and to measure their importance in order to assist in the monitoring of vaccination sentiment and the design of communication strategies and interventions to improve vaccination rates.

Setting

The USA, the UK and France.

Participants

A total of 2412 participants were surveyed across the three countries.

Outcome measures

Self-reported influenza vaccination.

Methods

Between March and April 2014, a stratified random sampling strategy was employed with the aim of obtaining nationally representative samples in the USA, the UK and France through online databases and random-digit dialling. Participants were asked about vaccination practices, perceptions and feelings. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with past influenza vaccination.

Results

The models were able to explain 64%–80% of the variance in vaccination behaviour. Overall, sociopsychological variables, which are inherently amenable to policy, were better at explaining past vaccination behaviour than demographic, socioeconomic and health variables. Explanatory variables included social influence (physician), influenza and vaccine risk perceptions and traumatic childhood experiences.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that evidence-based sociopsychological items should be considered for inclusion into national immunisation surveys to gauge the public’s views, identify emerging concerns and thus proactively and opportunely address potential barriers and harness vaccination drivers.

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014668

Authors


More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Experimental Psychology
Oxford college:
St Edmund Hall
Role:
Author
More by this author
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0001-7560-8924


Publisher:
BMJ Publishing Group
Journal:
BMJ Open More from this journal
Volume:
7
Issue:
7
Pages:
e014668
Publication date:
2017-07-12
Acceptance date:
2017-06-01
DOI:
EISSN:
2044-6055
ISSN:
2044-6055
Pmid:
28706088


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:709432
UUID:
uuid:9084dce3-5e72-4152-9b46-bb3ba2e6307f
Local pid:
pubs:709432
Source identifiers:
709432
Deposit date:
2018-08-31

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