Can the Health Belief Model and moral responsibility explain influenza vaccination uptake among nurses?

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and the factors associated with influenza vaccination among nurses in Hong Kong based on the Health Belief Model. The role of moral responsibility was also examined.

Influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza infection. Nurses are recommended to receive influenza vaccination annually. However, the rate of vaccination among nurses in Hong Kong is low.

A cross-sectional study.

A survey was conducted among 214 nurses between January - March 2017.

The prevalence of having ever received influenza vaccination, having received influenza vaccination in the last influenza season and having intention to receive influenza vaccination in the coming influenza season were 64.5%, 29.0% and 23.3% respectively. Results from multiple stepwise logistic regressions showed that perceived benefits of influenza vaccination and having received recommendations from colleagues were associated with higher chances of having ever received influenza vaccination. Perceived susceptibility of influenza, perceived benefits of influenza vaccination and perceived moral responsibility were associated with higher chances of having received influenza vaccination in the last influenza season, whereas perceived barriers of influenza vaccination were associated with lower chances. Furthermore, perceived susceptibility of influenza and perceived benefits of influenza vaccination were associated with higher chances of having the intention to receive influenza vaccination in the coming influenza season, whereas perceived barriers were associated with lower chances. The moderating effect of perceived moral responsibility was not significant.

Health promotion should make use of the Health Belief Model and increase moral responsibility to increase influenza vaccination rate among nurses.