The intentions of Israeli nurses attending university programs to receive seasonal influenza vaccination.

BACKGROUND

Seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) among medical personnel is a key factor in preventive medicine and patient safety.

OBJECTIVE

To identify social-cognitive predictors of Israeli Registered Nurses' (RNs) intentions to receive SIV utilizing the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) model, and to assess its predictive validity.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted. A structured, self-reported, anonymous, 43-item questionnaire, based on an extended version of the TPB, was administered to 80 nurses attending Master's or Bachelor in Nursing degrees curriculums. A multivariable regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of influenza vaccination compliance among nurses.

RESULTS

A multivariable regression analysis indicated that two TPB model variables: control beliefs (β = 0.277, < 0.01) and attitudes regarding SIV (β = 0.441, < 0.001) contributed significantly to the prediction of RNs' SIV intentions.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study indicate that the TPB may partially explain the intentions of RNs to receive SIV and illustrates the importance of beliefs and attitudes to health-related behaviours. It may direct us to seek interventions focusing on strengthening beliefs and attitudes to achieve higher intention levels to get vaccinated and thus affect the desired behaviours.