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Published on: August 7, 2017
A longitudinal study using parental cognitions based on the theory of planned behavior to predict childhood influenza
Anise M S Wu1, Joseph T F Lau2, Yee-Ling Ma2
1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
Insights
Most children aged 24-59 months received influenza vaccination (IV) as re-vaccinations. Parental attitudes and intentions predict IV uptake in previously vaccinated children, while intention is key for unvaccinated children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Public health interventions
- Behavioral science in health
Background:
- Annual influenza vaccination (IV) is recommended for children aged 6-59 months by the WHO.
- This study examines IV incidence and predictors in 24-59 month-old children using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of influenza vaccination (IV) in children aged 24-59 months over a 12-month period.
- To identify predictors of IV uptake based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).
Main Methods:
- A population-based random telephone survey was conducted with 440 parents of children aged 24-59 months in Hong Kong.
- Data collection included baseline and 12-month follow-up surveys.
Main Results:
- Influenza vaccination (IV) prevalence was 63.2% at follow-up, a 3% increase from baseline.
- IV incidence was 35.6 per 100 person-years overall. Parental attitude, norm, and intention predicted IV in previously vaccinated children; intention was key for unvaccinated children.
Conclusions:
- The majority of influenza vaccinations (IVs) administered were re-vaccinations, not first-time vaccinations.
- Targeting parents of never-vaccinated children is crucial due to low incidence and intention; TPB's effectiveness is limited in this group.
- Future research should explore other predictors for first-time IV in unvaccinated children, and promotional programs should segment by prior vaccination status.
Background:
The World Health Organization recommends young children aged 6-59 months receive influenza vaccination (IV) annually. This study investigated the IV incidence in a 12-month follow-up period among 24-59 month-old children and identified its predictors based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB).
Methods:
A population-based random telephone survey was conducted at baseline (March-June 2011) among Chinese parents of 24-59 month-old children in Hong Kong, China, and a follow-up survey was conducted 12 months afterwards (N=440).
Results:
The IV prevalence was 63.2% at follow-up (3% increased from baseline). The IV incidence during the follow-up period for all sampled, ever-vaccinated, and never-vaccinated children was 35.6, 58.5, and 7.7 per 100 person-years, respectively. Stratified analyses of logistic regression were performed for the ever-vaccinated and never-vaccinated children. After adjusting for significant socio-demographic variable(s), parental positive attitude, norm, and behavioral intention were significant predictors of IV at follow-up among ever-vaccinated children, while intention was the only significant predictor among never-vaccinated children.
Conclusions:
Most of the IVs received during the follow-up period were re-vaccinations rather than first-time vaccinations. Efforts should target never-vaccinated children's parents, who reported low incidence and intention. TPB also worked less well among never-vaccinated children, and thus research for other predictors of never-vaccinated children's first-time vaccination are warranted. Promotion programs should consider segmentation by children's prior vaccination status.
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