Influenza Vaccination Uptake among Iranian Older Adults: Application of the Health Belief Model

Influenza is an acute respiratory viral infection that can induce severe complications, hospitalization, and even death among older adults. Seasonal influenza vaccination has been proposed for its prevention. This study aimed to determine the related factors of influenza vaccination among Iranian older adults based on the health belief model.

In this cross-sectional study, 206 participants 65 and older were selected from Yazd city, Iran, in 2019. A random cluster sampling was used. The data collection tool was a questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model constructs. The data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using the Chi-square test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and logistic regression.

Only 24.3% of the participants had got a seasonal influenza vaccine over the past year, and 58.3% had received at least one dose of seasonal influenza vaccine from the age of 65. Knowledge (OR=1.27; CI=1.03-1.55), perceived susceptibility (OR=1.18; CI=1.04-1.33), and cues to action (OR=1.52; CI=1.16-1.98) were statistically significant predictors of seasonal influenza vaccination.

The cues to action stood as the strongest predictor of seasonal influenza vaccination, which should be addressed in health promotion intervention programs in the elderly.