The intentions of Israeli nurses attending university programs to receive seasonal influenza vaccination

Background: Seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) among medical personnel is a key factor in preventive medicine and patient safety. Objective: To identify social-cognitive predictors of Israeli Registered Nurses’ (RNs) intentions to receive SIV utilizing the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) model, and to assess its predictive validity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A structured, self-reported, anonymous, 43-item questionnaire, based on an extended version of the TPB, was administered to 80 nurses attending Master’s or Bachelor in Nursing degrees curriculums. A multivariable regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of influenza vaccination compliance among nurses. Results: A multivariable regression analysis indicated that two TPB model variables: control beliefs (β = 0.277, P < 0.01) and attitudes regarding SIV (β = 0.441, P < 0.001) contributed significantly to the prediction of RNs’ SIV intentions. Conclusions: The results of the current study indicate that the TPB may partially explain the intentions of RNs to receive SIV and illustrates the importance of beliefs and attitudes to health-related behaviours. It may direct us to seek interventions focusing on strengthening beliefs and attitudes to achieve higher intention levels to get vaccinated and thus affect the desired behaviours.