Factors Associated With Airline Cabin Crews' Influenza Vaccination Intention in the Workplace-based Setting

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Occupational Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Yearly influenza vaccination is crucial for preventing disease, especially in high-contact professions like airline cabin crews.
• Workplace vaccination programs are vital for managing infectious diseases in occupational settings.
• Understanding vaccination behavior is key to developing effective strategies for promoting vaccine uptake among airline cabin crews.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the factors influencing influenza vaccination intention in airline cabin crews.
• To apply the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to explain vaccination behavior in a workplace setting.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2021.
• Structured questionnaires assessing TPB variables and vaccination history were administered to 253 cabin crew members.
• 242 participants were included in the final analysis.

Main Results:

• The influenza vaccination rate was 70.7% in 2020, with a vaccination intention score of 5.92/7 in 2021.
• Vaccination intention was significantly associated with subjective norms (β = .394), positive attitude (β = .145), perceived behavioral control (β = .170), actual behavioral control (β = .145), and prior year vaccination (β = .163).
• The TPB model explained 57% of the variance in influenza vaccination intention.

Conclusions:

• The Theory of Planned Behavior effectively explains influenza vaccination intention among airline cabin crew members.
• Strategies to increase vaccination intention include emphasizing social effects and offering free, convenient vaccination opportunities.
• Findings can inform the design of on-site workplace vaccination programs for essential frontline workers.