[Influenza vaccination in high-risk groups. Role of the nursing staff]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of Nursing advice on the attitude taken to anti-flu vaccination by the group of high-risk patients at our Health Centre, as well as the effectiveness of this staff's retrieval of non-vaccinated patients.

Design: Study of a sample of a crossover type with a control group. Prospective intervention study with no control.

Setting: Primary Care. Candelaria Health Centre (Sevilla).

Patients: a) A random sample stratified by age and consisting of 126 vaccinated and 252 non-vaccinated patients with high-risk criteria for anti-flu vaccination (cardiovascular and chronic pulmonary pathologies); b) intervention to try and change the attitude of 78 non-vaccinated patients who were examined at the Nursing Station.

Intervention: Back-up by means of a direct interview or telephone call.

Measurements and main results: The distribution of the "included in the Nursing Station" factor was studied through a sample of vaccinated and non-vaccinated patients, who were homogeneous regarding age, gender, risk factor and nursing quota. 42.86% of those vaccinated were examined at the Nursing station as against 27.38% of those not vaccinated (O.R. 1.99, C.I. 1.27-3.11). The overall effectiveness of the retrieval was 42.31%, with a noteworthy 86.96% success obtained by the direct interview back-up at the Nursing station.

Conclusions: The results of the study point to the positive effect of nursing professionals on compliance with anti-flu vaccination. Moreover they are a useful part of strategies for retrieving patients with negative attitudes towards vaccination.