1. Do patterns of knowledge and attitudes exist among unvaccinated seniors?
- Author
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Bardenheier BH, Wortley PM, Winston CA, Washington ML, Lindley MC, and Sapsis K
- Subjects
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, United States, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Immunization Programs statistics & numerical data, Influenza A virus immunology, Influenza, Human prevention & control
- Abstract
Objective: To examine patterns of knowledge and attitudes among adults aged > 65 years unvaccinated for influenza., Methods: Surveyed Medicare beneficiaries in 5 areas; clustered unvaccinated seniors by their immunization related knowledge and attitudes., Results: Identified 4 clusters: Potentials (45%) would receive influenza vaccine to prevent disease; Fearful Uninformeds (9%) were unsure if influenza vaccine causes illness; Doubters (27%) were unsure if vaccine is efficacious; Misinformeds (19%) believed influenza vaccine causes illness. More Potentials (75%) and Misinformeds (70%) ever received influenza vaccine than did Fearful Uninformeds (18%) and Doubters (29%)., Conclusion: Findings suggest that cluster analyses may be useful in identifying groups for targeted health messages.
- Published
- 2006
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