Understanding the uptake of the flu vaccine in a high-secure hospital
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Predicting and understanding the uptake of the seasonal influenza vaccination among patients in a high-secure mental health hospital
IRAS ID
228056
Contact name
Claire Borthwick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The State Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 17 days
Research summary
Under UK guidelines, a flu vaccine is offered to all individuals with an enduring mental illness or intellectual disability. All 110 patients who are being treated in The State Hospital (TSH), a high-secure psychiatric hospital, are therefore offered the vaccine to help protect against the seasonal flu. Last year, 66% of patients in TSH accepted the vaccination, falling short of the WHO target of 75% and highlighting an opportunity for improvement (Health Protection Scotland, 2016).
The overarching aim of the current study is to gain a better understanding of the factors that predict vaccination intentions and behaviour among inpatients at The State Hospital. Employing a mixed-methods design, patients will initially be asked to complete a questionnaire which draws primarily from concepts in two health psychology models of behaviour (The Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour). As well as being asked about their health beliefs in relation to flu vaccination, patients will also be asked whether they intend to accept or decline the vaccine. After vaccinations have been offered to patients, the research team will statistically analyse data from questionnaires to identify what theoretical and demographic concepts were the best predictors of vaccination intentions and behavior. Semi-structured interviews will then be held with a purposive sample of both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. This will allow for a better understanding of the decision-making process, and encourage patients to discuss any other factors or circumstances that contributed to their decision to take or decline the vaccination. The results of this study will be fed back to the on-site Health Centre and used by the service to develop targeted health promotion strategies with the aim of improving flu vaccination uptake in following seasons.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1285
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion