<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Objectives. In Slovenia, the role of family physicians in primary care and preventive procedures is very important. Influenza vaccination rates in Slovenia are low. The reasons for low vaccination rates in Slovenia were not clear. We suppose that patient’s beliefs and attitudes are important factors. We assessed patients’ opinions regarding the acceptance of flu vaccination by their family physicians and their beliefs and attitudes about flu and vaccination. The aim was to check out factors that influence the decision to take the vaccine in family physician offices. Methods. This was a cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study in the Styria region in Slovenia. We included patients from seven family physicians during regular office visits. They filled in a questionnaire about their general demographic data and attitudes regarding influenza and vaccination. The main outcome was the decision to be vaccinated. Results. The logistic regression model identified five predictors for influenza vaccination, namely: heart disease, previous vaccination, an agreement with the beliefs ‘the vaccination is an efficient measure to prevent influenza’, ‘after the vaccination there are usually no important side effects’ and ‘the vaccination is also recommended for a healthy adult person’. The belief that vaccinations harm the immune system is negatively associated with vaccination. Conclusions. Patients’ beliefs are an important factor to decide for vaccination or not. Family physician teams should discuss with patients their beliefs and concerns about vaccination.</abstract>

Objectives. In Slovenia, the role of family physicians in primary care and preventive procedures is very important. Influenza vaccination rates in Slovenia are low. The reasons for low vaccination rates in Slovenia were not clear. We suppose that patient’s beliefs and attitudes are important factors. We assessed patients’ opinions regarding the acceptance of flu vaccination by their family physicians and their beliefs and attitudes about flu and vaccination. The aim was to check out factors that influence the decision to take the vaccine in family physician offices. Methods. This was a cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study in the Styria region in Slovenia. We included patients from seven family physicians during regular office visits. They filled in a questionnaire about their general demographic data and attitudes regarding influenza and vaccination. The main outcome was the decision to be vaccinated. Results. The logistic regression model identified five predictors for influenza vaccination, namely: heart disease, previous vaccination, an agreement with the beliefs ‘the vaccination is an efficient measure to prevent influenza’, ‘after the vaccination there are usually no important side effects’ and ‘the vaccination is also recommended for a healthy adult person’. The belief that vaccinations harm the immune system is negatively associated with vaccination. Conclusions. Patients’ beliefs are an important factor to decide for vaccination or not. Family physician teams should discuss with patients their beliefs and concerns about vaccination.

The Impact of Patient’s Socio-Demographic Characterictics, Comorbidities and Attitudes on Flu Vaccination Uptake in Family Practice Settings / Vpliv Bolnikovih Psihosocialnih Značilnosti, Komorbidnosti In Stališč Na Odločitev O Cepljenju Proti Gripi V Ambulantah Družinske Medicine

University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Taborska ul. 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Poljanski nasip 58, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva c. 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Slovenian Journal of Public Health

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Objectives. In Slovenia, the role of family physicians in primary care and preventive procedures is very important. Influenza vaccination rates in Slovenia are...

The Impact of Patient’s Socio-Demographic Characterictics, Comorbidities and Attitudes on Flu Vaccination Uptake in Family Practice Settings / Vpliv Bolnikovih Psihosocialnih Značilnosti, Komorbidnosti In Stališč Na Odločitev O Cepljenju Proti Gripi V Ambulantah Družinske Medicine

Published Online: Jun 09, 2015

Page range: 204 - 211

Received: Nov 02, 2014

Accepted: Mar 17, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sjph-2015-0029

Keywords
vaccination, influenza, family practice, attitudes, chronic diseases

© National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Impact of Patient’s Socio-Demographic Characterictics, Comorbidities and Attitudes on Flu Vaccination Uptake in Family Practice Settings / Vpliv Bolnikovih Psihosocialnih Značilnosti, Komorbidnosti In Stališč Na Odločitev O Cepljenju Proti Gripi V Ambulantah Družinske Medicine

Published Online: Jun 09, 2015

Page range: 204 - 211

Received: Nov 02, 2014

Accepted: Mar 17, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sjph-2015-0029

Keywordsvaccination, influenza, family practice, attitudes, chronic diseases

© National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
vaccination, influenza, family practice, attitudes, chronic diseases