Knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with frequent influenza vaccination among healthcare personnel in Peru, 2016─2018

INTRODUCTION: Despite a government-subsidized vaccination program, healthcare personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination uptake remains low in Peru. Using three years of cross-sectional surveys and an additional five years of prior vaccination history of HCP in Peru, we explored HCP knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of influenza illness and its impact on vaccination frequency. METHODS: In 2016, the Estudio Vacuna de Influenza Peru (VIP) cohort was initiated in Lima, Peru, which collected information about HCP KAP and influenza vaccination history from 2011─2018. HCP were classified by their 8-year influenza vaccination history as never (0 years), infrequently (1─4 years), or frequently (5─8 years) vaccinated. Logistic regression models were used to describe KAP associated with frequent compared to infrequent influenza vaccination, adjusted for each HCP’s healthcare workplace, age, sex, preexisting medical conditions, occupation, and length of time providing direct patient care. RESULTS: From 2016─2018, 5131 HCP were recruited and 3120 fully enrolled in VIP; 2782 consistently reported influenza vaccination status and became our analytic sample. From 2011─2018, 14.3% of HCP never, 61.4% infrequently, and 24.4% frequently received influenza vaccines. Compared to HCP who were infrequently vaccinated, frequently vaccinated HCP were more likely to believe they were susceptible to influenza (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]:1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.22─1.82), perceived vaccination to be effective (aOR:1.92, 95%CI:1.59─2.32), were knowledgeable about influenza and vaccination (aOR:1.37, 95%CI:1.06─1.77), and believed vaccination had emotional benefits like reduced regret or anger if they became ill with influenza (aOR:1.96, 95%CI:1.60─2.42). HCP who reported vaccination barriers like not having time or a convenient place to receive vaccines had reduced odds of frequent vaccination (aOR:0.74, 95%CI:0.61─0.89) compared to those without reported barriers. CONCLUSION: Few HCP frequently received influenza vaccines during an eight-year period. To increase HCP influenza vaccination in middle-income settings like Peru, campaigns could strengthen influenza risk perception, vaccine knowledge, and accessibility.