Logistic regression of attitudes and coverage for influenza vaccination among Italian Public Health medical residents.

Introduction . A few number of literature specifically addresses vaccination uptake among Public Health Residents (PHRs). Influ- enza vaccine attitudes and risk perceptions of PHRs across Italy were studied, contributing to literature on influenza vaccination uptake predictors, in particular among young physicians. Methods . An online survey was conducted in 25 Schools of Public Health in Italy in 2011-2012. Results were analysed using preva- lence and logistic regression methods. Results . A total of 365 Italian public health residents were included in the study. Vaccination uptake was confirmed by 22.2 and 33.2% of PHRs in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, respectively. For the 2010-2011 influenza season, vaccination was associated with male sex (adj-OR 3.43; 95%CI = 1.5-7.84) and vaccination history (adj-OR 29.44; 95%CI = 6.4-135.04). For the 2011-2012  season, vaccination was significantly associated with having had between one and three influenza vaccinations in the previ- ous five years (adj-OR 11.56; 95%CI = 6.44-20.75) or more than three (adj-OR 136.43; 95%CI = 30.8-604.7) and with individual participation in general population vaccination campaigns (adj- OR 1.85; 95%CI = 1.01-3.41). Discussion . Italian residents in public health have no confidence and a low personal risk perception about vaccinations therefore taking no measures to protect patients, general population and themselves. Annual influenza vaccination acceptance is associ- ated with influenza vaccine uptake in the previous years and per- sonal involvement in general population vaccination campaigns. These factors should be considered for the design of future cam- paigns targeting public health residents.