Determinants of the public intent to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine and protective behaviors: a population-based study in Taiwan.

Background And Study Aims: this study aims to identify the determinants of perceived changes in protective behaviors against seasonal influenza and the intent to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine among Taiwanese in 2011.

Methods: During the early 2011-2012 influenza season, we conducted a nationwide survey with randomly stratified samples and collected 1400 self-reported questionnaires from respondents aged 15 years and above using the computer-aided telephone interviewing software in Taiwan.

Results: One-third of the respondents intended to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. Knowledge of protective behaviors against influenza was the most common predictor of perceived changes in different protective behaviors and the intent to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. Older respondents were significantly more inclined to perceive changes in protective behaviors than younger respondents (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] ranging from 1.7 to 2.5). Female respondents were significantly more likely to change their behavior in wearing a face mask (AOR=1.5; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.07) and buying antimicrobial products (AOR=1.45; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.92) compared with males. Furthermore, recipients of past H1N1 (AOR=4.45; 95% CI, 3.03 to 6.53) and seasonal influenza vaccines (AOR=6.1; 95% CI, 3.31 to 11.23) were more likely to obtain the seasonal influenza vaccine. In contrast, individuals aged 30-49 (AOR=0.53; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.74) and females (AOR=0.65; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.87) were significantly less likely to intend to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that the predictors of perceived changes in protective behaviors and intent to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine differ. We provide perspectives and suggestions for overcoming the perceived barriers and for developing targeted risk-communication campaigns.