195521 Psychosocial Correlates of Rural Adolescents' Intention to Receive an Influenza Vaccination

Tuesday, November 10, 2009: 10:30 AM

Julia Painter, PhD, MPH , Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Jessica Sales, PhD , Rollins School of Public Health Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Karen Pazol, PhD, MPH , Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Chris Morfaw, RN , Division of Public Health, Georgia Department of Human Resources, Augusta, GA
Gina M. Wingood, MPH ScD , Rollins School of Public Health Department of Health Sciences and Behavioral Education, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Michael Windle, PhD , Rollins School of Public Health Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Dennis Murray, MD , Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
Walter Orenstein, MD , Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA
Ralph J. DiClemente, PhD , Rollins School of Public Health and Center for AIDS Research, Emory Univeristy, Atlanta, GA
  
Background: The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently recommended that annual influenza vaccination be administered to children aged 5-18 years. Adolescent attitudes toward influenza vaccination may play a key role in immunization outcomes. This study examined the association between attitudes toward influenza vaccination and intention to vaccinate among rural adolescents.

Methods: Participants were recruited from two counties participating in a school-based influenza vaccination intervention in rural Georgia (N=341). Data were collected from surveys distributed to adolescents attending middle- and high-school in participating counties prior to implementing the intervention. Psychosocial survey items were guided by the Health Belief Model and the Integrated Behavioral Model. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between adolescents' attitudes toward influenza vaccination and their intention to receive an influenza vaccination, controlling for demographic variables.

Results: Approximately one-third (34.0%) reported their intention to receive an influenza vaccination, 33.1% did not intend to be vaccinated, and 28.7 % were unsure. Controlling for demographic variables, social norms (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.08-1.39, p=.001), low perceived barriers (OR=0.78, 95% CI=0.69-0.89, p<.001), and receipt of influenza vaccination in the previous year (OR=6.18, 95% CI=2.79-13.67, p<.001) were associated with intention to receive an influenza vaccination. Intention to receive an influenza vaccination was not associated with perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, or self-efficacy.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that adolescent social norms, perceived barriers to influenza vaccination, and habit may influence vaccination acceptance. Future influenza vaccination efforts geared towards rural middle- and high-school students may benefit from addressing adolescent attitudes toward influenza vaccination.

Learning Objectives:
1.Describe the association between attitudes toward influenza vaccination and intention to vaccinate among rural addolescents. 2.Discuss the implication for designing effective influenza vaccination interventions geared toward rural middle- and high-school students.

Keywords: School-Based Programs, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: For my dissertation research, I am examining the relationship between adolescent attitudes toward influenza vaccination and vaccine uptake. My advisor is Dr. Ralph DiClemente.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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