Objective:To assess knowledge levels regarding seasonal influenza and its vaccine among high-risk Malaysian urban dwellers and identify factors associated with both knowledge acquisition and vaccination behavior.Metho...Objective:To assess knowledge levels regarding seasonal influenza and its vaccine among high-risk Malaysian urban dwellers and identify factors associated with both knowledge acquisition and vaccination behavior.Methods:This is a cross-sectional study conducted between April-July 2024 in two urban communities in Malaysia.High-risk participants(n=390)including adults≥65 years or aged 18+with chronic illnesses,were recruited through convenience sampling from public areas.Knowledge was assessed using a validated 12-item questionnaire(Cronbach'sα=0.977),categorized as good(7-12 points)or poor(0-6 points).Primary outcomes included knowledge scores,vaccination uptake rates,and associated demographic and clinical factors.Multivariate logistic regression identified independent predictors of good knowledge and vaccination behavior.Results:A total of 390 respondents were included in this study The mean age of the respondents were(58.4±12.7)years,and the majority of them were aged 65 or above(113/390,29.0%),males(212/390,54.4%),and of Chinese ethnicity(363/390,93.1%).Though 68.7%(268/390;95%CI 63.9%-73.2%)demonstrated good influenza knowledge,only 12.1%(47/390;95%CI 9.0%-15.8%)received annual vaccination.Independent predictors of good knowledge included female sex(aOR 1.65,95%CI 1.04-2.62,P=0.034),tertiary education(aOR 8.76,95%CI 2.79-27.51,P<0.001),diabetes(aOR 2.68,95%CI 1.07-6.69,P=0.035),and vaccination history(aOR 1.89,95%CI 1.09-3.28,P=0.024).Only 24.4%(95/390)respondents received physician vaccination recommendations.Social media constituted the primary information source(34.6%vs.24.4%from physicians).Conclusions:A substantial knowledge-behavior gap exists in influenza vaccination among high-risk Malaysian adults.Despite good knowledge levels,vaccination rates remain critically low,highlighting that knowledge alone is insufficient to drive vaccination behavior.Low physician recommendation rates represent a critical missed opportunity for prevention.Healthcare system interventions focusing on provider education,systematic vaccination recommendations,and evidence-based social media campaigns are essential to improve vaccination coverage in high-risk populations.展开更多
文摘Objective:To assess knowledge levels regarding seasonal influenza and its vaccine among high-risk Malaysian urban dwellers and identify factors associated with both knowledge acquisition and vaccination behavior.Methods:This is a cross-sectional study conducted between April-July 2024 in two urban communities in Malaysia.High-risk participants(n=390)including adults≥65 years or aged 18+with chronic illnesses,were recruited through convenience sampling from public areas.Knowledge was assessed using a validated 12-item questionnaire(Cronbach'sα=0.977),categorized as good(7-12 points)or poor(0-6 points).Primary outcomes included knowledge scores,vaccination uptake rates,and associated demographic and clinical factors.Multivariate logistic regression identified independent predictors of good knowledge and vaccination behavior.Results:A total of 390 respondents were included in this study The mean age of the respondents were(58.4±12.7)years,and the majority of them were aged 65 or above(113/390,29.0%),males(212/390,54.4%),and of Chinese ethnicity(363/390,93.1%).Though 68.7%(268/390;95%CI 63.9%-73.2%)demonstrated good influenza knowledge,only 12.1%(47/390;95%CI 9.0%-15.8%)received annual vaccination.Independent predictors of good knowledge included female sex(aOR 1.65,95%CI 1.04-2.62,P=0.034),tertiary education(aOR 8.76,95%CI 2.79-27.51,P<0.001),diabetes(aOR 2.68,95%CI 1.07-6.69,P=0.035),and vaccination history(aOR 1.89,95%CI 1.09-3.28,P=0.024).Only 24.4%(95/390)respondents received physician vaccination recommendations.Social media constituted the primary information source(34.6%vs.24.4%from physicians).Conclusions:A substantial knowledge-behavior gap exists in influenza vaccination among high-risk Malaysian adults.Despite good knowledge levels,vaccination rates remain critically low,highlighting that knowledge alone is insufficient to drive vaccination behavior.Low physician recommendation rates represent a critical missed opportunity for prevention.Healthcare system interventions focusing on provider education,systematic vaccination recommendations,and evidence-based social media campaigns are essential to improve vaccination coverage in high-risk populations.
