Knowledge and Attitude of Older Adults Toward Common Cold, Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Gerontological nursing department, faculty of nursing, Mansoura university

2 Professor of Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

3 Lecturer of Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Influenza virus is still one of the top ten most prevalent global diseases in the twenty-first century.
Between 9.3 to 45 million people experience symptoms of influenza annually. Elders are highly vulnerable due to ageing
immune systems and co-morbidities, representing for 90% of influenza-related deaths. Acute respiratory infections are
the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, and cause over 4.25 million deaths each year. Aim: Assess knowledge and
attitude of older adults toward common cold, influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. Method: A descriptive,
correlational research design was used with a convenient sample of 180 older adults. The study was carried out in the
Geriatric outpatient clinics of Mansoura University specialized medical hospital and Mansoura specialized hospital and 3
tools were used to collect data, demographic data structured interview schedule, common cold, influenza and
pneumococcal vaccination knowledge questionnaire and common cold, influenza and pneumococcal vaccination attitude
questionnaire. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between knowledge, and attitude score (r= 0.196, p =
<.05). Conclusion: The majority of the studied older adults had poor level of knowledge and negative attitude toward
common cold, influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. Recommendations: Implementation of health educational
program for older adults about the precaution of infection prevention for the influenza to improve their health status and
the quality of life.

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