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Urban and Rural Differences in Parental Attitudes About Influenza Vaccination and Vaccine Delivery Models
Author(s) -
O'Leary Sean T.,
Barnard Juliana,
Lockhart Steven,
Kolasa Maureen,
Shmueli Doron,
Dickinson L. Miriam,
Kile Deidre,
Dibert Eva,
Kempe Allison
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.439
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1748-0361
pISSN - 0890-765X
DOI - 10.1111/jrh.12119
Subject(s) - vaccination , influenza vaccine , medicine , live attenuated influenza vaccine , virology , environmental health , family medicine , demography , immunology , sociology
Abstract Objectives To assess and compare among parents of healthy children in urban and rural areas: (1) reported influenza vaccination status; (2) attitudes regarding influenza vaccination; and (3) attitudes about collaborative models for influenza vaccination delivery involving practices and public health departments. Methods A mail survey to random samples of parents from 2 urban and 2 rural private practices in Colorado from April 2012 to June 2012. Results The response rate was 58% (288/500). In the prior season, 63% of urban and 41% of rural parents reported their child received influenza vaccination ( P < .001). No differences in attitudes about influenza infection or vaccination between urban and rural parents were found, with 75% of urban and 73% of rural parents agreeing their child should receive an influenza vaccine every year ( P = .71). High proportions reported willingness to participate in a collaborative clinic in a community setting (59% urban, 70% rural, P = .05) or at their child's provider (73% urban, 73% rural, P = .99) with public health department assisting. Fewer (36% urban, 53% rural, P < .01) were likely to go to the public health department if referred by their provider. Rural parents were more willing for their child to receive vaccination outside of their provider's office (70% vs. 55%, P = .01). Conclusions While attitudes regarding influenza vaccination were similar, rural children were much less likely to have received vaccination. Most parents were amenable to collaborative models of influenza vaccination delivery, but rural parents were more comfortable with influenza vaccination outside their provider's office, suggesting that other venues for influenza vaccination in rural settings should be promoted.