Perceived Risk and Knowledge Determinants of the H1N1 Vaccine Use in Escambia County, Florida, 2009-2010 Flu Season

Objective: Escambia, FL is a rural county of 304,280 residents and home to two higher education institutions with approximately 12,000 and 20,000 students, respectively. The 18 to 64 age group is most at risk for serious and debilitating complications from H1N1 infection and the group most intensively targeted by public health outreach messages. The purpose of the study is threefold: 1) to examine the role of attitude, perception, and knowledge regarding HI1N1 in the decision to take the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine; 2) identify socio-demographic, economic and system-wide factors contributing to the uptake of the H1N1 vaccine in Escambia County, Florida; and, 3) offer recommendations on best practices and evidence- based strategies for community outreach to increase immunization rates in the event of an outbreak. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional survey of residents of the county from January 2011 through May 2011 and uses questions from the National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey [NHFS] instruments to collect data on the following variables. Results/Discussion: Results of descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis will be reported. Best practices for increasing immunization rates will be presented along with recommendations for community outreach.