Barriers and facilitators to seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses: A mixed methods study

Barriers and facilitators to using ophthalmic clinical health services following school vision screening: a mixed-methods study

OBJECTIVE

To identify determinants of the utilisation of ophthalmic clinical health services among students who failed school vision screening.

METHODS

This study employed a sequential explanatory mixed methods design, underpinned by Andersen's Behavioural Model of Health Service Utilisation. Data were initially gathered through interviews with 27 stakeholders-comprising 5 ophthalmologists, 7 community doctors, 7 public health professionals and 8 teachers. The qualitative insights informed the construction of a questionnaire, which subsequently garnered responses from 6215 participants. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis with NVivo V.12, while quantitative data were analysed using multivariable multinomial logistic regression in SAS V.9.4. Data integration was performed using the Pillar Integration Process for a deductive, evidence-based synthesis of findings.

RESULTS

The research revealed that students attending vision demonstration schools and receiving encouragement from schools or communities to access clinical ophthalmic services demonstrated higher adherence to referral (OR=1.66, 95% CI 1.30 to 2.12; OR=1.54, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.80). Conversely, older students and those from higher-income families exhibited lower adherence rates (OR=0.31, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.44; OR=0.34, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.46). Moreover, students with less urgent medical needs were more likely to adhere to referrals compared with those needing immediate referrals (OR=1.24, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.45).Four pillars emerged: (a) adherence decreased with age, (b) financial constraints did not pose an obstacle, (c) public health services played a critical role, (d) referral urgency did not linearly correlate with adherence.

CONCLUSION

The utilisation of ophthalmic clinical health services following vision screening failure in students is significantly influenced by public health services provided by schools or communities, such as prompting those with abnormal screening results to access ophthalmic clinical health services.

The impact of antenatal imaging on parent experience and prenatal attachment: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Medical imaging in pregnancy (antenatal imaging) is routine. However, the effect of seeing fetal images on the parent-fetal relationship is not well understood, particularly for fathers or partners, or when using advanced imaging technologies. This review aimed to explore how parent experience and prenatal attachment is impacted by antenatal imaging.

METHOD

Database searches were performed between September 2020 and April 2021 Inclusion criteria were English language primary research studies published since 2000, describing or reporting measures of attachment after antenatal imaging in expectant parents. The Pillar Integration Process was used for integrative synthesis.

FINDINGS

Twenty-three studies were included. Six pillar themes were developed: 1) the scan experience begins before the scan appointment; 2) the scan as a pregnancy ritual; 3) feeling actively involved in the scan; 4) parents' priorities for knowledge and understanding of the scan change during pregnancy; 5) the importance of the parent-sonographer partnership during scanning; and 6) scans help to create a social identity for the unborn baby.

CONCLUSION

Antenatal imaging can enhance prenatal attachment. Parents value working collaboratively with sonographers to be actively involved in the experience. Sonographers can help facilitate attachment by delivering parent-centred care tailored to parents' emotional and knowledge needs.

Understanding vaccination hesitation among health professionals: a systematic review of qualitative studies

OBJECTIVES

In terms of vaccination, people trust healthcare professionals (HCPs) more than any other source of information. They are the cornerstone of vaccination as they can move undecided populations not only towards vaccination but also towards non-vaccination. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and barriers associated with own vaccination and patient recommendation in HCPs.

STUDY DESIGN

This study incorporated a systematic review.

METHODS

A systematic review of studies published from January 1, 2000, to June 1, 2020, was conducted by searching PubMed and EMBASE electronic databases. Qualitative studies reporting outcomes related to knowledge, attitudes, or barriers related to vaccination/recommendation by healthcare personnel were included. The guidelines in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were followed.

RESULTS

From a total of 2916 studies identified, 36 articles met the inclusion criteria. Some of the factors cited by the HCP that may contribute to vaccine hesitancy were (a) concerns regarding safety or efficacy of vaccines (23 articles); (b) time constraints (21 articles); (c) lack of knowledge about the vaccination/vaccine (19 articles); (d) costs (13 articles); (e) distrust of pharmaceutical industry (8 articles); and (f) considering oneself insusceptible (7 articles), stock shortage (7 articles), lack of personnel (5 articles), and feelings of unnecessary vaccination (5 articles).

CONCLUSIONS

Our review suggests that interventions to combat vaccine hesitancy should increase HCP education on vaccine efficacy and safety, as well as intervene on health system factors such as cost and time per visit. In this way, we could tackle the problem of vaccine hesitancy, which seriously threatens global public health.

The effectiveness of interventions to improve the seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses: A systematic review

Background

Seasonal influenza is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite annual recommendations, influenza vaccination uptake rates are disproportionately lower among nurses compared to other health care professionals, especially when compared to physicians. Nurses have an additional risk of exposure to influenza infection due to the nature of their work.

Aim

To determine the effectiveness of interventions in increasing seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses.

Methods

Evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to improve seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses was systematically reviewed. A comprehensive search of six electronic databases and grey literature was undertaken. A minimum of two reviewers completed study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment independently.

Results

One hundred and thirty-four studies were identified of which one cluster randomised trial met the inclusion criteria. The results of the included study found the implementation of an intervention with multiple components increased nurses' seasonal influenza vaccination rates during a single influenza season in geriatric healthcare settings in France. As the evidence in this review was very limited, it was not possible to make recommendations regarding which interventions were effective at increasing the seasonal influenza vaccination rate for nurses.

Conclusion

This systematic review highlights a lack of high-quality studies that assessed interventions to improve the seasonal influenza vaccination of nurses. In view of the likelihood of influenza and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic occurring together, it is imperative to have evidence on effective interventions for the nursing workforce and for policy decision makers.

Intention, Motivation, and Empowerment: Factors Associated with Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among Healthcare Workers (HCWs)

BACKGROUND

Vaccination against seasonal influenza has proven effective in preventing nosocomial influenza outbreaks among hospital patients and healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aims to explore the intention, motivation, and empowerment toward vaccination and vaccination advocacy as contributing factors for seasonal influenza vaccination in HCWs.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study in eight secondary hospitals in Greece was conducted from March to May 2022. An anonymous questionnaire was enclosed in an envelope and distributed to all participants, including questions on vaccine behavior and the MoVac-flu and MoVad scales.

RESULTS

A total of 296 participants completed the questionnaire. In multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders, increased age, intention score, MoVac-flu scale score, and the presence of chronic diseases were significant predictors of influenza vaccination this year, while increased age, intention score, and presence of chronic diseases were predictors of vaccination every year.

CONCLUSION

Vaccination uptake is simultaneously affected by logical cognitive processes (intention), together with factors related to motivation and empowerment in distinct self-regulatory domains such as value, impact, knowledge, and autonomy. Interventions focused on these identified predictors may be used as a guide to increase HCWs' vaccination rates.

To Get Vaccinated or Not? The Vaccination Decision-Making by Healthcare Professionals Working in Haematology: A Qualitative Study

Haematological patients are more susceptible to infections. Vaccination has always been the most effective primary prevention strategy, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the efficacy of vaccines for some haematological patients is low. Although vaccination of Healthcare Workers (HCWs) could protect patients from vaccine-preventable diseases, there is evidence of a high level of hesitation among healthcare workers in Italy. The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes towards vaccination of HCWs caring for haematology patients. Qualitative descriptive design was conducted. Twenty-one HCWs were interviewed. Content analysis was applied to the qualitative data. The following themes were generated from the analysis: "Trust", "Decision-making process focusing on individual health", "Decision-making process focusing on community health", "Changing opinion", and "Two sides of vaccination commitment". The most hesitant HCWs were oriented towards individual health. They perceived a lack of benefit from vaccines, feared side effects, or were influenced by negative experiences of others. In contrast, community-health-oriented HCWs showed more positive attitudes towards vaccination. Some hesitant HCWs changed their opinion on vaccination because they began to reflect on the importance of vaccination for the community. The change in opinion of some HCWs interviewed provided insight into the importance of focusing organisational efforts on collective responsibility.

Factors influencing healthcare professionals' confidence in vaccination in Europe: a literature review

Health-care professionals (HCPs) have a fundamental role in vaccination, their own beliefs and attitudes affecting both their uptake and recommendation of vaccines. This literature review (n = 89) summarises evidence on HCPs’ perceptions of the risks and benefits of vaccination, trust, and perceptions of mandatory vaccination in Europe. HCPs across studies believed that vaccination is important to protect themselves and their patients. However, beliefs that some diseases such as influenza are less risky were reported by some HCPs as a reason for not getting vaccinated. Concerns about both short- and long-term side effects were identified among HCPs in most studies, such as those affecting the immune or neurological system. Mistrust toward health authorities and pharmaceutical industry was reported in some studies. The question of mandatory vaccination revealed mixed opinions, with some favoring self-determination and others viewing vaccination as a duty. This review highlights key factors influencing HCPs’ confidence in vaccination in Europe.

A mixed methods study of health care professionals’ attitudes towards vaccination in 15 countries

Background

Health care professionals are widely considered to be the most trusted source of information on vaccine-related topics. However, several are reporting their own hesitancy around certain vaccines, influencing their intention to vaccinate themselves as well as influencing their recommendations to their patients and target population.

Methods

A mixed-methods approach was used including an online survey (n = 1,504) in 15 countries which aimed to determine drivers of HCPs vaccine confidence and examine how these drivers vary across nations. Thirty in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 HCPs in a subset of three countries (France, Greece and Hungry) to explore barriers to HCPs vaccine uptake and their role in addressing vaccine hesitancy among patients.

Findings.

The survey’s regression analysis identified that nurses/midwives and HCPs from Hungary, Italy, Romania and Switzerland were less confident in the safety, importance or effectiveness of vaccines in general. Morocco (35%), Turkey (53%) and Greece (69%) reported the lowest influenza vaccination coverage among HCPs. Morocco also reported the lowest rates of HCPs who were “highly likely” to recommend MMR vaccine (34%), HPV vaccine (31%) and Covid-19 vaccines (29%). More than third of HCPs reported a lack of trust in health authorities and in the information they provide. Thematic analysis revealed that concerns over the risk of side-effects associated with vaccines, preference for natural immunity, whether it was necessary to be vaccinated against influenza every year, not having any chronic disease risk factors, and vaccines mandates as the key barriers to HCPs vaccination against influenza and Covid-19.

Conclusion

HCPs have an important role in vaccination and their confidence in vaccination and health authorities must be improved as this may affect their uptake of vaccines and influence their recommendations to their patients. Investigating the impact of political, socio-economic and cultural contexts on concerns about vaccination among HCPs is also necessary.

Barriers associated with seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses: A cross-sectional study

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the barriers associated with seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among nurses Material and Method: This web-based survey conducted in Turkey, from November to December 2021. A cross-sectional study included 390 nurses. The data were collected online by the researchers through a survey form that prepared in line with the literature. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were used to evaluate the data (p

Targeting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among nurses in Shanghai: A latent profile analysis

Objectives

This study aims to clarify the profiles of the psychological antecedents of vaccine hesitancy among Shanghai nurses with a person-centered approach.

Methods

A population-based cross-sectional online survey was conducted on Shanghai nurses from July to August 2021 (N = 1,928). In the online survey, participants were asked to report their sociodemographic, the 5C vaccine hesitancy components, their knowledge level of COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination, and the COVID-19 vaccination uptake intention and attention to vaccine news. Latent profile analysis was used to reveal distinct profiles of vaccine hesitancy.

Results

The results revealed four profiles, including "believers" (68.9%; high confidence and collective responsibility), "free riders" (12.7%; similar characteristics to believers, except for a low collective responsibility), "middlemen" (14.6%; middle in all 5C constructs), and "contradictors" (3.7%; high in all 5C constructs). Compared to believers, middlemen were younger, more likely to be female, childless, less educated, held lower professional titles, had fewer years of nursing service, sometimes or never complied with recommended vaccinations, had satisfactory or poor self-assessed health status, had no work experience during the COVID-19 epidemic, and possessed greater levels of knowledge. Free riders were more likely to work in community health centers and have a lower degree than believers. Contradictors were more likely to work in community health centers, had junior college degrees or lower, and had no work experience during the COVID-19 epidemic than believers. From the highest to the lowest on vaccination intention and attention to vaccine news were believers, then free riders, contradictors, and finally middlemen.

Conclusion

This study could aid in the development of personalized vaccination strategies based on nurses' vaccine hesitancy profiles and predictors. In addition to vaccine believers, we identified other three profiles based on their 5C psychological antecedents, emphasizing the significance of establishing tailored vaccination campaigns. Further research into the prevalence of profile structure in other groups of healthcare workers is required.

Trust in Science as a Possible Mediator between Different Antecedents and COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Intention: An Integration of Health Belief Model (HBM) and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)

As the literature highlights, many health behavior theories try to explain both social and psychological variables influencing an individual’s health behavior. This study integrates insights relative to the antecedents of getting vaccinated from health behavior theories, particularly including the health belief model (HBM), the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and the different socio-demographic factors. Furthermore, we considered the possible mechanism of impact of distrust in science on individuals’ hesitance and resistance to taking up SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in subjects living in Italy. A correlational study of 1095 subjects enrolled when the national vaccination campaign for the third dose was launched. A questionnaire was used to measure: Italian Risk Perception; subjective norm; trust in science, trust in the vaccine; fear of COVID-19; fear of the vaccine; perceived knowledge about SARS-CoV-2; booster vaccination intention. Principal results show that: (i) the positive relationship provided by HBM theory between perceptions of SARS-CoV-2 risk (vulnerability and severity) and intention to have the vaccine, through fear of COVID-19; (ii) the positive relationship between subjective norms and both trust in science and vaccination intention; (iii) that trust in science plays a crucial role in predicting vaccination intention. Finally, the results provided indications about a positive relationship between subjective norms and fear of COVID-19, and a full mediation role of trust in science in the relationships between determinants of both TPA and HBM, fear of COVID-19, and vaccination intention. In conclusion, an individual’s intention (not) to get vaccinated requires the consideration of a plethora of socio-psychological factors. However, overall, trust in science appears to be a key determinant of vaccination intention. Additional strategies promoting healthy behavior are needed.

Healthcare workers use of psychological support resources during COVID-19; a mixed methods approach utilising Pillar Integration Analysis

Objectives

We sought to examine healthcare workers (HCWs) utilisation of formal and informal psychological support resources in the workplace during the first and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland.

Methods

A convergent mixed methods approach was undertaken. Four hundred and thirty HCWs in the Mid West and South of Ireland responded to an online survey in terms of their use of psychological support resources during Wave 1 (April/May 2020) of COVID-19. Thirty-nine HCWs undertook in depth interviews at Wave 3 (January/February 2021), and a further quantitative survey was distributed and completed by 278 HCWs at this time. Quantitative data arising at Wave 1 and Wave 3, were synthesised with Qualitative data collected at Wave 3. A Pillar Integration Process (PIP) was utilised in the analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data.

Results

Five pillars were identified from the integration of results. These were: a) the primacy of peer support, b) the importance of psychologically informed management, c) a need to develop the organisational well-being ethos, d) support for all HCWs, and e) HCWs ideas for developing the well-being path. These pillars encapsulated a strong emphasis on collegial support, an emphasis on the need to support managers, a questioning of the current supports provided within the healthcare organisations and critical reflections on what HCWs viewed as most helpful for their future support needs.

Conclusions

HCWs who utilised supportive resources indicated ‘in house’ supports, primarily collegial resources, were the most frequently used and perceived as most helpful. While formal psychological supports were important, the mechanism by which such psychological support is made available, through utilising peer support structures and moving towards psychologically informed supervisors and workplaces is likely to be more sustainable and perceived more positively by HCWs.

Health care provider trust in vaccination: a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis

BACKGROUND

Vaccine hesitancy is a growing issue globally amongst various populations, including health care providers. This study explores the factors that influence vaccine hesitancy amongst nurses and physicians.

METHODS

We performed a qualitative meta-synthesis of 22 qualitative and mixed-method studies exploring the factors that may contribute to vaccine hesitancy amongst nurses and physicians. We included all articles that mentioned any aspect of trust concerning vaccination, including how trust may influence or contribute to vaccine hesitancy in nurses and physicians.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that vaccine hesitancy amongst nurses stemmed predominantly from two factors: distrust in health authorities and their employers, and distrust in vaccine efficacy and safety. Both nurses and physicians had a precarious relationship with health authorities. Nurses felt that their employers and health authorities did not prioritize their health over patients' health, provided inaccurate and inconsistent vaccine information, and were mistrustful of pharmaceutical company motives. Like nurses, physicians were also skeptical of pharmaceutical company motives when it came to vaccination. Additionally, physicians also held doubts regarding vaccine efficacy and safety.

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship health care providers or their patients have with health authorities and other providers regarding vaccination serves as unsystematic clinical experiences that may bolster vaccine hesitancy. Providing accurate and tangible information to emphasize the safety and efficacy of vaccines to health care providers may help address their specific concerns that may ultimately increase vaccine uptake.

A qualitative meta-synthesis on how autonomy promotes vaccine rejection or delay among health care providers

In spite of the overwhelming evidence that highlights the effectiveness of routine vaccination, an increasing number of people are refusing to follow recommended vaccination schedules. While the majority of research in this area has focussed on vaccine hesitancy in parents, there is little research on the factors that promote vaccine hesitancy in health care providers (HCPs). Identifying factors that promote vaccine hesitancy in HCPs is essential because it may help broaden our understanding of vaccine hesitancy in patients. Therefore, the goal of this investigation was to review 21 studies and examine how professional autonomy and risk perception may promote vaccine acceptance, rejection and delay in physicians and nurses. We found that vaccine hesitant nurses and physicians shared similar views towards vaccines; both groups believed that their decision to vaccinate was separate from their role as an HCP. This belief comprised of three themes: decisional autonomy, personal risk perception and alternatives to vaccination. Both groups believed that mandatory vaccine policies reduced their ability to decide whether vaccination was in their best interests. We argue that decisional autonomy may weaken risk perception of disease, which in turn may encourage beliefs and behaviours that reinforce a 'hero persona' that reduces appropriate preventive and hygiene measures. We employ the Health Belief Model to discuss the crucial role that risk perceptions may play in reinforcing autonomy in vaccine hesitant physician and nurses. We conclude this paper by providing a set of recommendations that aim to improve the decision-making process surrounding mandatory vaccinations for HCPs.

Determinants of seasonal influenza vaccination hesitancy among healthcare personnel: An integrative review

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To explore the determinants of and behaviour change models for seasonal influenza vaccination compliance among healthcare personnel.

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare personnel may be better understood by exploring determinants of seasonal influenza vaccine hesitancy.

DESIGN

Integrative literature review.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Six thousand and forty-eight articles were screened. Seventy-eight met inclusion criteria. Due to the heterogeneity of included articles, a narrative synthesis was conducted utilising a conceptual matrix to identify thematic categories.

RESULTS

Six thematic categories were identified as influencing HCP SIV compliance: 'perceived vulnerability', 'trust', 'past behaviour', 'professional duty', 'access and convenience' and 'knowledge and experience'. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was the most commonly utilised health behaviour change model within the seasonal influenza vaccination context. Few studies have examined seasonal influenza vaccine acceptance and uptake within the Australian HCP context, particularly involving community care and aged care.

CONCLUSIONS

Factors that appear to relate to influenza vaccination compliance among HCP can be grouped according to several thematic categories, and they also appear influential in COVID-19 vaccine uptake. In particular, an emerging focus on 'trust' or the more emotive considerations of decision-making around health-protective behaviours requires further exploration in the context of a pandemic. Efforts to influence these domains to increase compliance, however, are likely to be impeded by a lack of a well-developed and tested behaviour change model.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Healthcare personnel (HCP) face high levels of occupational exposure to seasonal influenza every year. An emerging focus on 'trust' and the more emotive considerations of decision-making around health-protective behaviours requires further exploration in the context of a pandemic.

Integrating Health Behavior Theories to Predict COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: Differences between Medical Students and Nursing Students

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to explore behavioral-related factors predicting the intention of getting a COVID-19 vaccine among medical and nursing students using an integrative model combining the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among medical and nursing students aged > 18 years in their clinical years in Israel between 27 August and 28 September 2020. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to predict acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine.

RESULTS

A total number of 628 participants completed the survey. Medical students expressed higher intentions of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 than nursing students (88.1% vs. 76.2%, p < 0.01). The integrated model based on HBM and TPB was able to explain 66% of the variance (adjusted R2 = 0.66). Participants were more likely to be willing to get vaccinated if they reported higher levels of perceived susceptibility, benefits, barriers, cues to action, attitude, self-efficacy and anticipated regret. Two interaction effects revealed that male nurses had a higher intention of getting vaccinated than did female nurses and that susceptibility is a predictor of the intention of getting vaccinated only among nurses.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that both models considered (i.e., HBM and TPB) are important for predicting the intention of getting a COVID-19 vaccine among medical and nursing students, and can help better guide intervention programs, based on components from both models. Our findings also highlight the importance of paying attention to a targeted group of female nurses, who expressed low vaccine acceptance.

Mandatory vaccination for seasonal influenza: what are nurses' views?

BACKGROUND

Preventing seasonal influenza is a public health priority but, although the benefits of vaccinating healthcare workers (HCWs) are emphasised, seasonal influenza vaccine uptake rates remain low. Voluntary vaccination policies have been less successful in achieving high vaccine uptake when compared to mandatory policies and the persistently low vaccine uptake among HCWs has fuelled debate on whether mandatory vaccination programmes should be implemented in the interest of patient safety.

AIM

This study explored nurses' views on mandatory vaccination policy for seasonal influenza.

METHODS

A self-selected sample (n=35) of qualified nurses working in two large hospital sites in Ireland participated in five focus groups. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's framework.

FINDINGS

Two themes were identified: (1) mixed views on mandatory vaccination and (2) leave nurses to make their own choice on vaccination.

CONCLUSION

This study provides an understanding of nurses' views regarding mandatory vaccination policy for seasonal influenza and highlights that individual choice and autonomy are crucial for vaccine acceptance.