Influenza vaccination: knowledge, attitudes and practices of the elderly

• Autor(a) principal: Oliveira, Adriana Delmondes de
• Data de Publicação: 2016
• Outros Autores: Reiners, Annelita Almeida Oliveira, Mendes, Priscila Aguiar, Azevedo, Rosemeiry Capriata Souza, Gaspar, Ana Carolina Macri
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
• Texto Completo: http://periodicos.ufsm.br/reufsm/article/view/19258
• topic: Influenza human; Health knowledge; Attitudes practice; Influenza vaccines; Immunization programs; Influenza humana; Conocimientos; Actitudes y práctica en salud; Vacunas contra la gripe; Programas de inmunización; Influenza humana; Conhecimentos; Atitudes e práticas em saúde; Vacinas contra influenza; Idosos; Vacinação contra influenza

Aim: To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of elderly patients about influenza and the vaccine used to prevent the disease. Methodology: Descriptive study with 71 seniors who were interviewed by way of a questionnaire based on KAP survey (Knowledge, Attitude and Practices). Data were collected from February to April 2015 and its analysis was based on recommendations made from the Ministry of Health. Results: Most seniors know only some signs or symptoms of influenza. They believe that the vaccine reduces the symptoms and risks of influenza complications, and that, even if one takes the vaccine, there is the possibility of falling ill, but they do not consider the vaccine a way of preventing the disease. Almost 77% of the elderly referred take the vaccine. Conclusion: The knowledge of the elderly in relation to influenza is unsatisfactory, but their attitudes are favorable and probably this has influence on their good practices in relation to vaccination.