Logistic regression of attitudes and coverage for influenza vaccination among Italian Public Health medical residents

Introduction. A few number of literature specifically addresses vaccination uptake among Public Health Residents (PHRs). Influenzavaccine attitudes and risk perceptions of PHRs across Italy were studied, contributing to literature on influenza vaccinationuptake predictors, in particular among young physicians.Methods. An online survey was conducted in 25 Schools of Public Health in Italy in 2011-2012. Results were analysed using prevalenceand logistic regression methods.Results. A total of 365 Italian public health residents were included in the study. Vaccination uptake was confirmed by 22.2and 33.2% of PHRs in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, respectively. For the 2010-2011 influenza season, vaccination was associatedwith male sex (adj-OR 3.43; 95%CI = 1.5-7.84) and vaccination history (adj-OR 29.44; 95%CI = 6.4-135.04). For the 2011-2012season, vaccination was significantly associated with having had between one and three influenza vaccinations in the previousfive years (adj-OR 11.56; 95%CI = 6.44-20.75) or more than three (adj-OR 136.43; 95%CI = 30.8-604.7) and with individualparticipation in general population vaccination campaigns (adj-OR 1.85; 95%CI = 1.01-3.41).Discussion. Italian residents in public health have no confidence and a low personal risk perception about vaccinations thereforetaking no measures to protect patients, general population and themselves. Annual influenza vaccination acceptance is associatedwith influenza vaccine uptake in the previous years and personal involvement in general population vaccination campaigns.These factors should be considered for the design of future campaigns targeting public health residents.