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Published on: August 14, 2019
[Objective risk for influenza, subjective risk perception and willingness for vaccination: how does the general
1Institut für Allgemeinmedizin im Bereich Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung, Universitätsklinikum Ulm. bettina.schwermer@gmx.de
Background:
Every influenza season, vaccination campaigns are launched with the aim to achieve higher vaccination rates. Despite diverse educational work, health behaviour regarding influenza vaccination falls short of expectations. The current study explores the relationship between vaccination behaviour and objective infection risk. The hypothesis is that vaccination is performed independently of the objective infection risk. Even with increasing infection risk, no increase of vaccination rate is expected.
Methods:
Questionnaires were filled in by passengers of public transportation services in a southern German city at 3 defined time points. Changes in vaccination behaviour were recorded in parallel with the objectively measurable risk of disease. The questions to determine vaccination behaviour and its causal impact factors are based on the Health Belief Model. The total sample consisted of 178 participants at each timepoint (n=534).
Results:
Questionnaires were evaluated with regard to age and vaccination status. During the influenza season vaccinated and non-vaccinated participants show differences in risk perception. In vaccinated persons, the "perceived risk of disease" increases, while non-vaccinated participants develop a declining risk perception at the peak of influenza season.
Conclusion:
Vaccination is performed in all groups regardless of the objective risk. The decline in risk perception in non-vaccinated participants might be explained by a defensive mechanism of information processing. Consequently, a strategy of intensified education regarding the risk of disease seems not to be promising in future vaccination projects. Furthermore, it may be more effective to improve the status and importance of vaccination.
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